Northpinellas: Teenager travels all over in an effort to get better

And since her first tournament at 8, Liles has displayed power beyond her years. This year, however, Liles said she also has concentrated on shot placement. "I've been moving well to the ball, which helps me be set for my shots and makes me more consistent," Liles said. "I've been working on my midcourt game, which I think I really needed to improve. Plus, I still need to develop a bigger serve. It's weak compared to the rest of my game."

After a five-year stint with Wager, Liles trained for about a year with Billy Stearns, then briefly attended the Rick Macci Tennis Academy in Pompano Beach before signing on at the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton. There, Liles trained with Jose Lambert and Ian Meyer, former coaches of Monica Seles.

"That's who I really admire," Liles said of Seles. "She is so strong mentally. One of my dreams is to be a top pro like Seles."

Liles might be well on her way to her dream. Like Seles, Liles is left-handed and hits two-fisted on both sides. Currently, Liles is ranked No. 1 statewide in the 14-and-under division, No. 2 in the 16s and No. 5 in the 18s.

Nationally, Liles is 12th in the 16s and No. 32 in the 18s. This year, Liles was selected to compete on the USTA 14s national girls team and returned recently from Europe and the World Junior Tennis Championships.

"Liles' schedule affects our whole family," said her father, Richard. "We've been a split family this year with her training in South Florida, and that's been tough at times. She's going to be training at Saddlebrook now, so the travel will be a little easier."

School also has been affected. Both she and her younger sister, Christina, have been home-schooled since Liles was in fifth grade.

This week, Liles is in Baton Rouge, La., competing in the International Tennis Federation Junior Championships. This year, Liles said, she'll schedule more ITF tournaments so she can earn ITF points for a world ranking, take advantage of opportunities to play different opponents and experience traveling with other players and coaches.

"We try to keep Alex's feet on the ground and to get her to see how many better players there are out there," Richard Liles said. "Most of all, we want her to enjoy this journey no matter where it takes her."

OFF TO NATIONALS: The 4.5 men's team from the Treasure Island Recreation, Tennis and Golf Center leaves this week for the USTA national championships in Tucson, Ariz. The team faces Texas on Friday morning and Puerto Rico on Friday afternoon. Saturday's match is with Northern California. The semifinals and final are Sunday.

The men's 3.0 team from Feather Sound Country Club also travels to Tucson for nationals Oct. 18-22.

JUNIOR RESULTS: Evangelina Soriano won the girls 18-and-under singles title in the 2000 Pete Wolfberg Super Series last weekend. Goran Dragicevic finished first in the boys 18s while Kaela Kennedy was second in the girls 16s.

In last month's Water is Clear Tournament, Laura Fakhoury won the girls 14s in straight sets and Alexandria Cercone (12s), Bugsy Bauer (18s) and Fred Johnson (18s) were finalists in the state-sanctioned event.

ADULTS WIN: Sophie McCook, Gerry Barna, Tom Grayson and Mike Panayotti were among the winners in last month's SPTC Adult Classic Championships.

McCook was first in the women's 45-and-older round robin contest. Barna defeated Alex Deeb 6-3, 7-5 in the men's 45s division. Grayson beat Jay Parker 6-1, 6-0 in the 55s, and Panayotti outlasted Bill Gatlin in the 70s. Dennis Salvatierro battled Kenneth Leese in a three-set loss in the 25s.

In the Safety Harbor Spa NTRP Tournament last month, Franz Henikl won the 4.0 title, with Jim Schroeder the runner-up. Woody Woodberry was second in the 3.5.

LEAGUES FORMING: An organizational meeting for the upcoming USTA Florida Section Senior Doubles League for players 50 and older is at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Royal Racquet Club. Women should call Judy Murphy at 815-9618. Men should call Seaton Kenworthy at 785-8399.

Coordinators of the district's Mixed Doubles League for both adult and seniors are hosting an organizational meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club. For details, call Erika Boardman (399-2459), Liz Dunlop (391-0811) or Bob Hagerman (391-4380).

Registration for the Pinellas County Junior Fall League is under way. Players from the beginner to advanced are eligible for team play. The league begins Oct. 29 and runs through Dec. 17. Call Vince Trapano at 799-3200.

A USA Team Tennis League for men begins an eight-week session this month at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. The Saturday morning team play includes a round-robin format. For information, call the center at 893-7301.

GRASS-ROOTS FUNDRAISER: The Suncoast Tennis Foundation's fifth annual benefit tournament is Oct. 14-15 at the McMullen Tennis Complex.

Men's, women's and mixed doubles competition in skill-level divisions are scheduled for a one-event fee of $30 per person and $40 for two events. The STF provides support for community grass-roots tennis programs. Call Peter Laker at 785-2537 for details.

COMING UP: The Bardmoor Tennis Challenger, Oct. 17-22, at the Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club will feature women's players on the rise. A 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles competition will include professionals ranked 100 or lower in the world. For details, call 391-2205. ... Players needing a National Tennis Rating Program evaluation should call Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club (391-2205) to register for its 7 p.m. Oct. 24 session or the McMullen Tennis Complex (669-1919) for its 2 p.m. Oct. 28 session.

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