Tennis Topics
Published: May 27, 2009, Richmond Tennis Association website
Mills Godwin girls and boys move closer to state team titles
by John Packett, RTA Staff Writer
Did the Mills Godwin High Schools girls’ and boys’ teams clear their biggest hurdle toward winning the state Group AAA high-school team championship with quarterfinal victories yesterday?
Maybe, maybe not.
In the girls’ case, the Eagles likely went a long way in closing in on their third straight title and sixth in the past eight years by ousting George Marshall of Falls Church 5-2 at Godwin.
Godwin will face Eastern Region champ Frank Cox in the semifinals at 9 a.m. Friday at Huntington Park in Newport News. The Eagles (19-0) have already beaten Cox 8-1 this spring, although the losers were missing their No. 4 singles player in that match.
Should Godwin get past Cox, the Eagles would likely face Northern Region champion Thomas Jefferson Science and Technology in the final on Saturday at 9 a.m. in Newport News. TJ eliminated Deep Run 5-1 in the quarterfinals.
Godwin had its hands full with George Marshall, needing a pair of three-set wins to take a 4-2 advantage going into the doubles. So it’s certainly no guarantee that the Eagles will finish with their second straight unbeaten season (22-0 last year).
But Godwin’s deep lineup has carried the team all season and should be a significant factor in the state final.
"Our depth is what makes the difference in our matches," said Mary Frances Dudley, the only senior in the top six. "Every match is important. Six, one, it doesn’t matter. They all count the same. We’re really fortunate to have a really deep team."
Meanwhile, the Godwin boys appear to have a fairly easy path to the final, since their semifinal opponent Friday is also Frank Cox, a team the Eagles routed 9-0 during the regular season. The Eagles disposed of defending state champion James Robinson 5-2 yesterday.
Awaiting them in the final, in all likelihood, will be a familiar foe: Deep Run. The two Central Region schools battled each other twice this year, splitting their matches. Deep Run took the first one 5-4, but Godwin bounced back to capture the regional final 5-4.
Deep Run meets Eastern runner-up Princess Anne in the other semifinal on Friday. Both semis begin at noon at Huntington Park. The final will be at noon on Saturday.
"Nobody listened to me, but I predicted at the beginning of the season that the two teams from the Central Region would probably have the opportunity to play for the state championship," said Godwin coach Tom Hoy. "I just wasn’t sure which two teams it would be.
"It was going to come from Godwin, Deep Run or Douglas Freeman, because I knew all three were going to be good."
The Godwin boys will be seeking their eighth title since joining the Group AAA ranks but first since 2005. The Eagles claimed five crowns as a member of Group AA.
Exhibition highlights Midlothian Tennis Club’s 30-year anniversary
by John Packett, RTA Staff Writer
Midlothian Tennis Club, which are the courts that used to be part of Brandermill Country Club, is celebrating 30 years of tennis at the Chesterfield County facility on Friday and Saturday.
The highlight of the weekend will be an exhibition featuring former head pro John Hill and touring pro Jessica Steck vs. John DePew and another former Brandermill pro Rachel Gale. It’s scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and will be chaired by David Snidow.
On Saturday, a pro-am will be held in the morning and afternoon, and among those set to appear are Scott and Sean Steinour, Joe Cappellino, Mark Bernstine, Noelle Hague, Charlie Palmer, Phil Thacker, Carl Clark, Damian Sancilio, Darryl Wilburn and Matt Magner.
Junior circuit begins next week at Raintree Swim and Racquet Club
The Association of Richmond Tennis Professionals junior circuit gets under way next week at Raintree Swim and Racquet Club. The first one-day tournament for non-ranked juniors playing bantam or intermediate tennis will be on June 6.
There will be singles for boys and girls 8, 10, 12 and 14 years old. No doubles. The age division is determined by the age a player will be at the end of the month of any given tournament. Entry fees are $16 and must be turned in on Wednesday prior to each tournament.
Entry forms are available at most area clubs or can be found elsewhere on this web site.
Other tourneys are scheduled for Hermitage Country Club (June 13), Atlantic Coast Athletic Club (June 20), Dominion Club (June 27), Avalon Recreation Association (July 3), Robious Sports and Fitness Center (July 11), Willow Oaks CC (July 18), Midlothian Tennis Club (July 25), Salisbury CC (Aug. 1) and Burkwood Swim and Racquet Club (Aug. 8).
A Masters tournament for the top eight players in each division will be held on Aug. 15 at the Country Club of Virginia.