Three Counties Earn Florida’s First National Bids of 2024 at Adult 55 & Over 6.0/8.0 Sectional Championships

USTA Florida hosted the first Adult League Sectional of 2024 at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona. Players from across the state gathered for the Adult 55 and over 6.0/8.0 Sectional Championships and to become the first teams to book their spot to Nationals. 

It was the perfect weekend for tennis as the skies were clear and a cool breeze took over the courts. There were three divisions in play this weekend with 6.0/8.0 Women’s tennis and 8.0 Men’s action.  

In the Women’s 6.0 Escambia County came out as victors, winning all their pool play matches and carrying that momentum into the playoff flight. They took down Collier County in the semifinals in a hard-fought 2-1 match and then had another 2-1 result in the finals against Brevard. 

For the Women’s 8.0 draw, Orange County came out the big winner. The Orlando team swept their first four matches and met up with Collier in the semis. Both teams gave their all, but in the end, Orange was able to get a 2-1 win. In the Championship, Orange got the better half of Sarasota County, winning in a convincing 3-0 fashion. 

Finally, the Men’s 8.0 was dominated from start to finish by Duval County. The team came out win an undefeated match record in the group stage, including a 16-4 set record. They rode that momentum to the playoffs and won both the semifinals and championship 3-0. 

Check out the full results from the championship match across each division. The winners have punched their spot at the USTA Adult League National Championships, taking place in November. 

Adult 55 & Over Results 

Women’s 6.0 

Championship Results: Escambia County defeated Brevard County (Indian River Colony Club) 2-1 

     

No. 1 Doubles: Lori Abbott/Linda Carrillo (Brevard) d. Sharon Powell/Kaye Whittenberger 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 

No. 2 Doubles: Judy Harrington/Tonya Chase (Escambia) d. Mary Failla/Sherri Brander 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 

No. 3 Doubles: Nena Haigler/Carol Essex (Escambia) d. Connie Sicilia/Yvonne Salvatore 6-1, 6-2 

Escambia County Season Roster: Nena Haigler (Captain), Tonya Chase, Trish Kington, Carol Essex, Klara Szalai, Kaye Whittenberger, Judy Harrington, Sharon Powell 

Women’s 8.0 

Championship Results: Orange County (Lake Cane Tennis Center) defeated Sarasota County (Plantation Golf & Country Club) 3-0 

 

No. 1 Doubles: Pamela Saffran/Kerri Dryden (Orange) d. Lynn Deuitch/Judith Lubbers 6-4, 6-2 

No. 2 Doubles: Kelly Foote/Paula Hall (Orange) d. Laura Peters/Susan Marro 6-3, 6-2 

No. 3 Doubles: Hazel Cooke/Kristee Garrity (Orange) d. Donna Hannigan/Susan Kimball 6-2, 6-2 

Orange County Season Roster: Angela Tuckerman (Captain), Lisa Miller, Jill Beachy, Jamie Roedig, Penny Watzka, Barbara Bahng, Hazel Cooke, Kerri Dryden, Jennifer Widga-Kirby, Paula Hall, Kelly Foote, Janet Lower, Dana Laing, Denise Tormey, Pamela Saffran, Shery Cassidy, Kristee Garrity 

Men’s 8.0 

Championship Results: Duval County (Baymeadows Tennis Center) defeated Pinellas County (Seminole Lake Family Tennis) 3-0 

     

No. 1 Doubles: Eric Leach/Peter Snell (Duval) d. Chuck Goldberg/Randall Meisner 6-0, 6-2 

No. 2 Doubles: Cort Raithel/David Smyth (Duval) d. Sebastian Brust/Monty Johnson 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 

No. 3 Doubles: Chris King/Frank Sabato (Duval) d. John Hockin/Chris Eversole 6-4, 6-4 

Duval County Season Roster: Herve Devos (Captain), Eugene Kasper, Eric Leach, Cort Raithel, Tony Hennies, Marcus Hodges, Alan Hopkins, Rocky Rockwell, Gary Badger, H Bryan Neel, Robert Bitler, David Smyth, Felix Nazareno, Peter Snell, Frank Sabato, Chris King