Nelson, Dent capture USTA doubles title

By NANCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 29, 2000

Some of us hit the malls after enjoying a Thanksgiving feast.

Many junior tennis players were chasing down tennis balls at various contests in their back yards, around the state or across the country.

Kelly Nelson and Jennifer Dent traveled to Pensacola for the USTA National Open Championships. They returned with a doubles trophy in the 18-and-under division.

Nelson, 16, seeded fourth in singles for 18-year-old players, finished third.

"I was really pleased with my play," Nelson said.

She defeated fifth-seeded Danielle Wiggins of Jacksonville in a quarterfinal. "She played really well," Nelson said of her opponent.

Nelson lost 6-4, 6-2 to second-seeded Story Tweedie-Yates in a semifinal, "but it was a good match," Nelson said.

Nelson defeated Alexandra Smith of Georgia 6-3, 6-1 in the third-place match.

Dent won two matches before falling to Tweedie-Yates in the quarterfinals.

In doubles, the duo upset top-seeded Ashley Cowart of Georgia and Carina Alberelli of Miami 6-4, 6-4 to reach the final.

Second-seeded Ashley Kroh of Kentucky and Leah Dioquino Esmero of Alabama defaulted in the championship.

"Kelly had a really good tournament and will now go to the USTA Super Nationals," said Maria Cercone, Nelson's coach at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club.

"Even though Kelly can play in the 16s until June, she's playing in the 18s to give college coaches an opportunity to look at her," Cercone said.

Last spring, the USTA adopted the "Optimum Schedule." It creates more opportunities for players to compete, said Cercone, and allows another avenue for players to qualify for national tournaments.

As a result of Nelson's third-place finish in singles and the doubles win, she is eligible to compete in the USTA Winter National Championships, which are scheduled for late December in Arizona.

According to the USTA guidelines, a top-six finish advances singles players, as does reaching a doubles final.

Others competing in the USTA National Championships were area players Natalie Tirapelli, 18, in Maumee, Ohio; Sam Sutherland, 18, in Toledo, Ohio; and Peter Petrides, 16, in Irvine, Calif.

"It was really my first big tournament back after spraining my ankle in a tournament here in St. Petersburg," Tirapelli said.

"I lost to the fifth seed in the first round and then went on to win three," she said. "I felt rusty at first, but then I did all right."

Tirapelli will play in theCopper Bowl in Arizona after the holidays.

"I feel like I really benefit from playing outside the area against new players," Tirapelli said.

"You get a different feel for the ball, the players and the game itself. I think it helps me be more versatile."

This week at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy is the Eddie Herr International Junior Championships.

Over 1,400 players from around the world are competing in the prestigious event.

Among the players are Kelly McCain, formerly of St. Petersburg and training at Saddlebrook; Ashley Harkleroad and Alexandria Liles, in the division for 18-year-olds; Christina Liles and Morgan Frank, in the class for 12-year-olds; and Sukhwa Young, 16.

Earlier this month, top-seeded R.J. Murray won the boys 18 title in the East Lake Woodlands Super Series. Other winners were Alex Gillott, 14, and Marc Spicijaric, 16.

Finalists included Elyse Roenick, 14, and Lindsay Dvorak, 12.

PLAYOFF TODAY: Feather Sound Country Club plays host to Treasure Island Rec Center this morning to break the tie for first place in the South Pinellas Ladies Doubles League.

Vinoy and the St. Petersburg Tennis Center will battle for third place.

The winter session begins Jan. 17. Call Sam Vuille, 867-9105, for entry details.

SENIOR MEN: Countryside Country Club leads the Fall 60-and-Over League with an unbeaten record among nine teams.

Countryside (5-0) had a bye and did not play Tuesday.

In second-place is a Shipwatch Tennis Club squad with a 4-0 record. Close behind is Royal Racquet Club (3-1).

The three doubles position team competition continues through Dec. 19.

LEAGUE UPDATE: The USTA Florida Section Senior Women's Doubles League begins its nine-week competition Saturday for 10 teams in the 3.5 skill-level position.

Teams represent Countryside, East Lake Woodlands, Innisbrook, Timber Pines, Bardmoor and the St. Petersburg Tennis Center clubs.

The local winner advances to state tournament play in May.

SUPER SENIORS: To register for the Super Senior Doubles League, calling women's coordinator Josie Doucette, (813) 862-1656, or men's coordinator Al Heller, 397-2825.

Players turning 61 before the end of 2001 are eligible to participate.

Rosters are due by Dec. 15. League competition is scheduled to begin the first week in January.

COMING UP: A National Tennis Rating Program clinic on Dec. 9 at Countryside Country Club begins at 2 p.m.. Call the club (796-1136) to schedule a rating time. ... Mixed doubles get under way this month. Call Erika Boardman (399-2459) for details. ... The Winter Classic is at Cheval Country Club this weekend and offers singles in adult age divisions. Call Allegra Campos, (813) 948-2282, to enter. ... Clearwater is playing host to the Pre Holiday Super Series for junior singles and doubles players this weekend at the McMullen Tennis Complex. Call Krishnan Anandan, 669-1919.

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