The women’s 65 & Over team representing USTA Florida from Collier County (Pelican Marsh, Naples) won the 6.0 division title at the USTA National Invitational 65 & Over Championships, held Jan. 25-27, 2019 at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex in Surprise, Ariz.
In the final the Naples women edged a team from USTA Pacific Northwest (Harbor Square Athletic Club, St Edmonds, Wash.) 2-1. Florida won the No. 2 and 3 doubles position while USTA Pacific Northwest took the No. 1 position in a third-set super-tiebreaker.
Championship Match Results:
No. 1 Doubles: Susan Fyall/Joyce Tierney (PNW) d. Jane Handworth/Marlene Melone 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (super-tiebreaker)
No. 2 Doubles: Marybeth Greco/Annie Potts (FLA) d. Dominique Emerson/Dorothy Ferguson 6-3 6-4
No. 3 Doubles: Rosita Gilsenan/Patricia Albrite (FLA) d. JR Thompson/Judy Jennings 6-2 6-2
Both teams advanced to the semifinals by winning their round-robin flights earlier in the weekend.
The Florida team roster was comprised of Linda Mushock (captain), Karen Guilmartin, Judy Ebert, Marlene Melone, Barbara McGonagle, Rosita Gilsenan, Judi Knowles, Jane Handworth, Annie Potts, Susan Solomon, Rhonda Noble, Patricia Albrite, and Marybeth Greco.
USTA League teams from Collier County dominated the 2018 USTA Florida 65 & Over League Sectional Championships in April 2018, winning two titles and appearing in all five finals at the USTA National Campus in Orlando.
Established in 1980, USTA League has grown from 13,000 participants in a few parts of the country in its first year to more than 915,000 players across the nation today, making it the world’s largest recreational tennis league.
For more information on USTA Florida Leagues or to sign-up for a team go to www.ustaflorida.com/leagues.
