Tennis Topics
Published: May 29, 2009, Richmond Tennis Association website
Atkinson tops Atchison in Davenport 3.5 men’s final
by John Packett, RTA Staff Writer
Colin Atkinson and James Atchison played for the unofficial title of 3.5 champion of the Belmont Recreation Center today at Byrd Park.
It also happened to be the final of 3.5 division in the Davenport City Rated Tennis Championships, and Atkinson emerged with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over his fellow Belmont member.
Most of the players in the draw were 3.5 players from Belmont, and some of them were in the stands watching Atkinson prevail with a little bit steadier game than Atchison.
To Atkinson, it felt like a "friendly" competition. "At least you knew everybody," he said. "There was nobody sneaking up on you. It was really cool. I’m glad they had one like this for rated players.
"Some of my buddies and I have gone out of town to play in tournaments like this. We’ve gone to Lynchburg and Roanoke for tournaments, so it was nice to have one here in town. It was a lot of fun."
Atkinson, 30, even had a cheering section that included his two daughters, Esme, 6, and Addie, 4. Esme held up a sign that read, "Vamos, Colin."
The left-handed Atkinson, who graduated from Monacan High School and attended Longwood University for a couple of years, made a few less errors than Atchison in posting the win.
"I got a few more balls in than he did," said Atkinson, laughing. "It was real close. I had a few lapses, but he did, too."
Atkinson was taking a cue from his dad, Ron, who was playing next to him today in a second-place match in the 4.0 division and holding his own.
The two had played twice before in a singles league, splitting their previous matches.
"I knew he was going to be tough," said Atkinson, an electrical salesman.
"You’ve gotten better, man," said Atchison, who lost in the first round of the open division to Monty Stafford. "So have you," said Atkinson.
Atchison, 20, was on the Hermitage High School team for four years, playing as high as No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles. He just finished at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and will attend Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall.
"Some days I’m up, some days I’m down," said Atchison.
Deadline approaching for senior Davenport event
by John Packett, RTA Staff Writer
The only division left in the Davenport tournament now is the seniors, which is scheduled for June 27-July 1 on the clay courts at Willow Oaks Country Club.
Entry fees are $25 for singles and $40 per doubles team. The entry deadline is June 22. Players can enter online elsewhere on this web site. Jim Wood is the tournament director.
Mills Godwin girls and boys reach state Group AAA title matches
by John Packett, RTA Staff Writer
The Mills Godwin girls and boys squads continued their run toward state Group AAA high-school team tennis championships with easy victories today at Huntington Park in Newport News.
The Godwin girls ran their record to 20-0 when Maddie Wood supplied the clinching point against Frank Cox of Virginia Beach at No. 5 singles, beating Gabriella Velo 7-5, 6-3. Wood had lost to Velo in a regular-season match.
The Eagles had beaten Cox 8-1 earlier in the season but weren't feeling cocky going into the match, coach Mark Seidenberg said.
"We weren't overconfident," Seidenberg said. "All of the girls played really well. Actually, all of them did better than the first match."
The Central Region champion Eagles will meet Northern Region winner Thomas Jefferson Science and Technology tomorrow at 9 a.m. for the title. TJ defeated Loudoun Valley 5-3 in the other semifinal.
Godwin is seeking its third straight state crown and sixth in the past eight years.
The Godwin boys turned in a similar performance against Cox, eliminating the Falcons 5-0 in their semifinal.
Kevin McMillen supplied the clincher with a closer-than-it-looks 6-2, 6-3 victory over Cameron Brawley at No. 2 singles. The Eagles improved their record to 20-1 and will be going after their eighth state title but first since 2005.
Their opponent in tomorrow's noon final will be fellow Colonial District member, Deep Run, which rolled over Princess Anne 5-0 in the other semifinal.
The two foes met twice this season, with each winning 5-4. Deep Run claimed the regular-season matchup 5-4, then Godwin turned the tables in the regional final 5-4 in a match that lasted over two days because of darkness and wasn't decided until the final doubles on the court.
"Obviously, it could go either way," said Godwin coach Tom Hoy. "What's really interesting about this match is that usually you can figure you'll win at No. 2 singles or lose at No. 3 singles. You almost know who'll be winning at certain positions.
"But with this match, you could win or lose any of the matches. All of them could go either way. It should come down to the doubles. It wouldn't surprise me if the match lasted five or six hours. It should be another real close one."
Group AAA girls semifinal
MILLS GODWIN 5, FRANK COX 0
Singles: Meg Kristofak d. Jenny Lee 6-4, 6-1; Mary Frances Dudley d. Sally Goode 6-2, 6-0; Michelle Akerman d. Erica Ridlon 6-3, 6-1; Maddie Wood d. Gabriella Velo 7-5, 6-3; Jessica Kocen d. Lauren Wilson 6-1, 6-4.
Group AAA boys semifinal
MILLS GODWIN 5, FRANK COX 0
Singles: Kyle Parker d. Ian Fraser 6-1, 7-5; Kevin McMillen d. Cameron Brawley 6-2, 6-3; Michael Baxter d. Rison Owens 6-1, 6-2; Michael Holt d. Shane Gill 6-0, 6-0; Anthony Pelesis d. Conner Fanney 6-2, 6-1.