Preview: USTA Florida League 40 & Over 3.5/4.5+ Sectionals Tennis This Weekend

Local USTA League champion teams from across Florida will vie for berths to the USTA League National Championships this weekend at the 2015 USTA Florida Adult 40 & Over 3.5/4.5+ League Sectional Championships, July 17-19 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, and at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach.

Returning champion teams qualifying again from last year are Hillsborough County in the Men’s 4.5+, and Escambia County in the Men’s 3.5.

Diane Giordano, captain of the Orlando team from Waterford Lakes Recreational Center in the Women’s 3.5 level, says she brings an experienced team with a mantra of kicking butt and taking names.

“We have made it to sectionals several times before,” Giordano says. “Part way through the season, we adopted a new mantra as we ‘opened the can of whoop a**’ on our opponents!”

The 4.5+ level allows up to two 5.0-rated players on a roster, where the players must compete in the No. 1 singles or No. 1 doubles positions. The NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) scale progresses from 2.5 (beginner) to 5.0 (advanced) for USTA Florida League championship events. For more information on NTRP levels go to www.usta.com/Adult-Tennis/USTA-League/Information/About_NTRP.

Pinellas County with a win the in 40 & Over Women’s 4.0 flight last week took sole possession of the top spot on the leaderboard for USTA Florida League Sectionals titles thus far in 2015 (through July 13):

2015 USTA FLORIDA ADULT LEAGUE
SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE LEADERS

1. Pinellas County (4 titles) — 65 & Over M8.0, W8.0, Mixed 40 & Over 6.0, 40 & Over W4.0
2. Duval County (3) — 65 & Over W6.0, 55 & Over W4.0, 55 & Over M3.5
3. Indian River/Martin/St. Lucie counties (2) — 65 & Over W7.0, 55 & Over W3.5
4T. Broward County (1) — 55 & Over W4.5
4T. Collier County (1) — 55 & Over W3.0
4T. Escambia County (1) — Mixed 40 & Over 8.0
4T. Hillsborough County (1) — 55 & Over M4.0
4T. Lee/Charlotte counties (1) — 65 & Over M7.0
4T. Leon County (1) — 40 & Over M3.0
4T. Marion County (1) — 40 & Over W3.0
4T. Orange/Seminole counties (1) — Mixed 40 & Over 7.0
4T. Sarasota County (1) — 55 & Over M4.5
4T. South Miami-Dade (1) — 40 & Over M4.0
4T. Volusia/Flagler counties (1) — Mixed 40 & Over 6.0

Here are the teams competing this weekend:

40 & Over Men’s 3.5

Alachua County (Westside Tennis Center, Gainesville), captain: Ray Brady
Brevard County (Eau Gallie Yacht Club, Indian Harbour Beach), captain: Brian Baney
Broward County (Midtown Tennis Club, Weston), captain: Fernando Moreno
Duval County (Boone Park, Jacksonville), captain: Charles Nissen
Escambia County (Roger Scott Tennis Center, Pensacola), captain: John Wimberly
Hillsborough County (Cheval Athletic Club, Lutz), captain: Jerry Davis
Marion County (Ft. King Tennis Center, Ocala), captain: Jerry McLauchlin
Orange/Seminole counties (Fort Gatlin Recreation Complex, Orlando), captain: Jim Nguyen
Pinellas County (Innisbrook, Palm Harbor), captain: Rick Frizalone
Sarasota County (Lakewood Ranch Tennis Center, Lakewood Ranch), captain: Fred Olguin

40 & Over Women’s 3.5

Alachua County (DB Racquet Club, Gainesville), captain: Susie Finfrock
Brevard County (Suntree Country Club, Melbourne), captain: Faith Urban
Broward County (Midtown Tennis Club, Weston), captain: Monica Candamo
Clay County (Eagle Landing Country Club, Orange Park), captain: Sue Newman
Collier County (Marco Island Racquet Center, Marco Island), captain: Andrea Washak
Escambia County (The Club II, Gulf Breeze), captain: Renee Baggett
Hillsborough County (Westchase Swim & Tennis Center, Tampa), captain: Heidi Kelly
Indian River County (North River Shores Tennis Club, Stuart), captain: Whitney Gaskell
Lee/Charlotte counties (The Landings Tennis Club, Fort Myers), captain: Cindy Gentleman
Leon County (Forestmeadows Park & Athletic Center, Tallahassee), captain: Denean Sykes
Marion County (Ft. King Tennis Center, Ocala), captain: Leigh Steinberg
Orange/Seminole counties (Waterford Lakes Recreation Center, Orlando), captain: Diane Giordano
Pinellas County (St. Pete Tennis Center), captain: Victoria Quintana
Polk County (Bartow Civic Center Tennis Courts, Bartow), captain: Frances Hall
Sarasota County (Bath & Racquet Fitness Club, Sarasota), captain: Ann Hollins
South Miami-Dade County (Dante Fascell Tennis Center, Miami), captain: Rosy Bild
Volusia County (Florida Tennis Center, Daytona Beach), captain: Heather Gardner

40 & Over Men’s 4.5+

Alachua County (Jonesville Tennis Center, Gainesville), captain: Ashok Kumar
Broward County (City of Oakland Park), captain: Michael Kelly
Collier County (World Tennis Club, Naples), captain: Earle Sanborn
Escambia County (Roger Scott Tennis Center, Pensacola), captain: Rick Cuny
Hillsborough County (Cheval Athletic Club, Lutz), captain: Richard Beardsley
Orange/Seminole County (Orlando Tennis Center), captain: Keiling Kenton
Pinellas County (St. Pete Tennis Center), captain: Josh Melton
Sarasota County (Bath & Racquet Fitness Club, Sarasota), captain: Alan Amero
South Miami-Dade County (Tropical Park Tennis Center, Miami), captain: Herbert Portillo
St. Johns County (Palencia, St. Augustine), captain: Michael Januzzi

40 & Over Women’s 4.5+

Alachua County (DB Racquet Club, Gainesville), captain: Ekanong Van Roy
Brevard County (Fee Avenue, Melbourne), captain: Elaine Vicari
Broward County (City of Oakland Park), captain: Hermine Greene
Collier County (Heritage Bay, Naples), captain: Betsy Netherton
Duval County (Independent), captain: Cynthia McGehee
Hillsborough County (Harbour Island Athletic Center, Tampa), captain: Chris Bartos
Indian River County (The Boulevard Village & Tennis Club, Vero Beach), captain: Kathy Zanon
Leon County (Tom Brown Park, Tallahassee), captain: Robbyn Whitlock
Orange/Seminole counties (Sanlando Park, Altamonte Springs), captain: Ligia Bottinelli
Pinellas County (Total Tennis Center, Clearwater), captain: Michiele Conklin
Sarasota County (Palm-Aire Racquet Club, Sarasota), captain: Janet Kempton
South Palm Beach County (Indian Springs Country Club, Boynton Beach), captain: Debra Fieni

The Florida 3.5 men’s and women’s champions will advance to the 2015 USTA League Adult 40 & Over 3.5 National Championships on Oct. 23-25 in Tucson, Ariz.

The Florida 4.5+ men’s and women’s champions will advance to the 2015 USTA League Adult 40 & Over 4.5+ National Championships on Oct. 23-25 in Indian Wells, Calif.

For more info visit www.USTAFlorida.com/Leagues.