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Daily Pro Tennis News

• 2003 Men's National 40s Indoor Championship
• 2002 PNC International Tennis Classic
• 2002 National Collegiate Clay Court Championships
• 2002 Men's Futures of Pittsburgh
• 2002 Men's National 40s Indoor Championship
• 2001 PNC-Women's Challenger of Pittsburgh
• 2000 Women's Challenger of Pittsburgh

Oxford Athletic Club-East Showcases Three National Junior Tennis Players

By Mike Quinn
Oxford Athletic Club-East
April  2003

Athletes who excel at the highest levels of their respective sports are often referred to as "elite." Oxford Athletic Club in Monroeville, Pennsylvania has three tennis players who are right now, at the top of their games, and enjoying the fruits of their labors…namely winning tournaments and playing "big matches." When junior tennis players start to play competitive matches in local (DR) events, both the player and parents realize something very quickly. If their child starts to win matches on a regular basis they are going to achieve a ranking in the district and begin to move up to bigger and more competitive events at the Sectional, Zonal, and finally at the National level. Jim Courier, Todd Martin, Michael Chang, Andre Agassi, and Pete Sampras all played against one another in National Junior Tournaments as they made their individual ways to the professional ranks. The following profiles chronicle some of the current accomplishments of Lauren Greco, Marcus Rebersak, and Ben Graham, all of whom are nationally ranked juniors from OAC-East.

Lauren Greco is a 13 year old seventh grade student who attends Shadyside Academy. She has participated at the national level and sectional Masters' events for the past three years. She recently competed at the Copper Bowl, a national event which was held in Tucson, Arizona. Lauren played a total of five matches at the event, encountering 3 seeded players along the way and beating the #29 seed in this 128 player draw. Also in Tucson she played three matches at the Sheraton Super Nationals losing to the # 2 seed. However, at the Atlantic Club, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Lauren won the title at the Winter Masters Girls' 14s, playing four matches to get to the finals, where she won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.

HOT! That's what Marcus Rebersak is. The seventh grader, who is home schooled by his parents Peggy and Al, is the player to beat. Check out this performance… On January, 3rd Marcus wins the Boys 14's SR Event at the Pennbriar Racket Club in Erie, Pa., defeating Upper St. Clair's K.C. Watt, 6-2,6-3 in the final. By the way did I mention, Marcus is 12. In February he travels to Altoona, Pa. and grabs the title at the Boys 12s Masters Series. Talk about peaking at the right time! Marcus and family then travel to Albany N.Y. for the Nationals. Tri-City Racket Club was the host site for this National 12s'. Marcus won five straight matches and the title, besting Gary Kushnirovich of New York, 6-2, 6-3.

Ben Graham is ranked in the top 100… in the United States… in the Boys 16s… Last Thanksgiving while we were all eating turkey, the Grahams' were in St. Louis, Missouri playing a National Jr. Event. Here the un-seeded Ben would make it to the semi-finals of the back draw, encountering the number #5 & #6 seeds along the way. Ben played seven matches in reaching the semis.

In late summer, Graham won the consolation draw at the Midwest Junior National Open at Ball State University in Indiana. After losing to the second seed in the main draw, Graham entered the consolation draw and won six straight matches to win the event. Two three-set victories, a semifinal win over the second seed, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. A triumph over Ethan Juffey in the final, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, emphasized Graham's tenacious style of play. Ben participated in and excelled in a total of 10 matches in this event!

On February 15 -19, the USTA National Open Championships (Boys' 16), was hosted at the Oxford Athletic Club in Monroeville. Ben was the # 14 seed. The rounds of 64 & 32 produced straight set wins for Graham and in the Round of 16 Ben would play the #2 seed Daniel Urban from West Orange, New Jersey. Ben dominated in the first set, breaking Urban twice and winning 6-4. The second seed would not go away easily and stormed back in the second 6-1. The 3rd set was hard fought y both players, however, Ben started attacking the net more off his forehand side and roared to a 6-1 quarterfinal berth. With only one hour rest, Graham played a remarkable first set only to lose in a first set tie-break, 7-5. Nick Savage, the #7 seed was to fresh still in the second, and won the match 7-6(5), 6-1. Ben then entered the consolation back draw and continued on to the semi-final round.

These three athletes currently train with Head Pro, Rashid Hassan USPTA at the OAC EAST in Monroeville. We wish them continued success in upcoming tournaments and are proud of their hard work and major accomplishments.

Graham playing with stead racket

By JoAnne Klimovich Harrop
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, March 20, 2003

When Ben Graham was 4 years old, his parents sent him to the basement of his Edgewood home where he found several old wooden rackets. 

He took them and went to Edgewood Elementary School where he spent hours hitting balls against the wall. 

These days, the type of racket has changed — Graham uses a Graphite Prince — but he continues to hit the ball for hours only this time against some of the best opponents in the country.

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USTA Honors Area Tennis Players, Coaches & Volunteers at Annual Luncheon

By Tom Benic
USTA/AMD
April 2, 2003

The top tennis players, coaches, volunteers and organizations in Western Pennsylvania and the northern panhandle of West Virginia will be honored by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) at its Hall of Fame and Annual Awards Luncheon this Sunday, April 6, at the Fox Chapel Racquet Club in suburban Pittsburgh.

The late William L. Colbert, an African American trailblazer who integrated Pittsburgh tennis by becoming its best player, will be inducted into the USTA's Allegheny Mountain District Hall of Fame at the 1 p.m. luncheon. Colbert, who died last April, became the dominant Pittsburgh area tennis player, beginning in the 1940s when blacks were barred from even playing on public courts and excluded from private clubs. He was once ranked 12th nationally by the American Tennis Association and qualified to play in the USTA's National Championships in Forest Hills, N.Y. Colbert remained active in tennis throughout his life, serving the USTA in a variety of volunteer capacities to help bring more African Americans into the game.

Also to be honored Sunday will be the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL), the governing body for high school athletics in Western Pennsylvania. The WPIAL was named "Organization of the Year" for its continuing efforts to grow the game of tennis in high schools throughout Western Pennsylvania. The WPIAL's Tennis Committee, chaired by Lane Stoner of Washington, Pa., organizes league play as well as team and individual championships for 78 boys teams and 78 girls teams each year. Nearly 2,000 teen-agers are involved in WPIAL tennis. 

Other award winners named by the Allegheny Mountain District (AMD) board are: -more-

" Coach of the Year: Riley Baker, coach of the Beaver Area High School boys and girls teams and a high school coach for the past 19 years. His Beaver Area girls' teams have won the past two WPIAL Class AA team championships. Since 1992 they have won five team championships and have been team finalist four other times. 

" Volunteer of the Year: Gina Mazure, a USTA volunteer and Allegheny Mountain District board member from Wheeling, W.Va. In 2002 she organized a Wheelchair Tennis seminar and was instrumental in starting the AMD Director's Cup adult tennis tournament. 

" Family of the Year: The Ken and Bette Salmon family of Fox Chapel. Both Ken and Bette have been active for many years as players and promoters of the game of tennis. Their sons, Mike and Keith, are currently tennis teaching professionals following collegiate careers, while daughter Stephanie played tennis in college and coached tennis prior to her marriage. Bette Salmon became president of the USTA's Middle States Section earlier this year. 

" News Media of the Year: NSN Sports, an internet sports news service in Pittsburgh that provides internet tennis news and live internet radio coverage of the WPIAL boys individual tennis championships in the spring and the girls individual championships in the fall. 

Also to be honored will be the district's top-ranked adult and junior players, based on results in Allegheny Mountain District sanctioned tournaments last year. 

The player honorees are: 

Adult Awards

Men's Open Singles: Ron Mercer; Men's 35 Singles: Chris Murphy; Men's 45 Singles: Gary Schwartz; Men's 50 Singles: Chuck Taylor; Men's 55 Singles: Mike Quinn; Men's 60 Singles: Len Fechter; Men's 65 Singles: Doug Kerin; Men's 70 Singles: Jack Dorsey. Men's Open Doubles: Lloyd Adams and Maurice Yurick; Men's 55 Doubles: Greig Berkley and Len Fechter; Men's 65 Doubles: tie between the team of King Hartman and Doug Kerin and the team of Bob Gray and Peter Rigby; Men's 75 Doubles: John Boliver and David Blowers, Sr.; Men's 80 Doubles: Ralph Block and Mike Cox. Women's Open Singles: Jill Williams; Women's 45 Singles: Carolyn Kupperman; Women's 55 Singles: Gloria Kerin.

Women's Open Doubles: tie between the team of Jamie D'Angelo and Lisa Keylor and the team of Johanna Dorsey and Lisa Bournt-Davis; Women's 35 Doubles: tie between the team of Jamie D'Angelo and Lisa Keylor and the team of Rosemarie Price and Rochelle Seilhamer; Women's 45 Doubles: Janet DeCostro and Rochelle Seilhamer; Women's 55 Doubles: Gloria Kerin and Yvonne Van Nostrand. Mixed Open Doubles: tie between the team of Jarod Medvetz and Yvonne Niederbract and the team of Johanna Dorsey and Ted Becker; Mixed 35 Doubles: Lisa Keylor and Carl Nix; Mixed 45 Doubles: Carol Strasser and Jerry Cannon; Mixed 55 Doubles: Gloria Kerin and Doug Kerin.

Junior Player Awards 

Boys' 18 Singles: 1st, Tyler Weisel; 2nd, Prabhu Narahari, 3rd, T. J. Delorie; Boys' 16 Singles: 1st, Evan Reese; 2nd, Derek Taylor, 3rd, Phil Gibson; Boys' 14 Singles: 1st, Chris Foster; 2nd, Douglas Subosits; 3rd, Stephen Eaglen; Boys' 12 Singles: 1st, Bjorn Fratangelo; 2nd, Mark Lacy; 3rd, Colin Sullivan.

Boys 18 Doubles: 1st, Matt Butterfield and Mark Danforth; 2nd, Patrick McGinty and Perry Skoutelas; 3rd, Zach Johnson and Micah Slavkin; Boys 14 Doubles: 1st, Robert Chung and Nathan Williams; 2nd, Stephen D'Angelo and Chris Foster; 3rd, Adam Marnik and Tommy Yankowski.

Girls' 18 Singles: 1st, Jackie Hughes; 2nd, Priya Narahari; 3rd, Jessica Brown; Girls' 16 Singles: 1st, Lauren Subosits; 2nd, Kayla Blackburn; 3rd, Carrie Miller; Girls' 14 Singles: 1st, Meghan Stubblebine; 2nd, tie between Samantha Blackburn and Emily Yetiskul; Girls' 12 Singles: 1st, Sarah Lynch; 2nd, tie between Bobbilyn Anthony and Katie Healy.

Girls' 18 Doubles: 1st, Jackie Hughes and Lauren Subosits; 2nd, Samantha Blackburn and Kayla Blackburn; 3rd, Carrie Miller and Becky Kovel; Girls' 14 Doubles: 1st, Sarah Lynch and Bobbilyn Anthony; 2nd , Kelsey Haas and Joan Hilton; 3rd, Liz Hough and Emily Urda.

Tennis: Clay arrives late; tournament switches sites

Sunday, July 21, 2002
By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

The clay showed up a day late at the Frick Park courts, so the Pittsburgh Parks Championships, renamed the Paul G. Sullivan Championships in memory of the longtime tournament director, moved to Schenley Park this week.

The American brown clay, transported by truck from New Jersey, didn't arrive until Monday. Although the six courts at Frick Park in Regent Square have been resurfaced, they aren't expected to be available to the public until the new lines have been put down early this week.

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Tennis: Johnson aces running event

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
Sunday, May 19, 2002

Don Johnson, who has been running in the sport's fast lane the past several years, recently ran away from the pack in a different kind of competition.

Before the ATP Masters at Hamburg, Germany, 20 players and 15 coaches competed in a 7.5-kilometer race around the Outer Alster Lake. While a number of the competitors had trained for the race the past several months, Johnson, who attended Mt. Lebanon High School, didn't decide to enter until the night before the event.

"I was not even considered as a dark horse," said Johnson, 33, a doubles specialist who ranks among the elite players in the world. "I think almost everyone thought I was either too old or not worthy of consideration."

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Honorees receive awards

By Jim Rudolph
THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
April 30, 2002

The top-ranked adult and junior players in the United States Tennis Association/Middle States Section’s Allegheny Mountain District (USTA/MS/AMD) and the recipients of the USTA/MS/AMD's Annual Tennis Awards were honored April 28 at a luncheon at the Fox Chapel Racquet Club.

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Tennis: Mercers USTA family of year

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
April 28, 2002

Tennis long has been a family affair for the Mercers, whose love of the game has been passed down through the generations.

The patriarch of Mercer tennis was Loran Mercer, a band director from Wheeling, W.Va., who put a racket in the hands of his sons, Bill and Don, who introduced their sons to the sport.

"Our involvement in tennis has meant a lot of hard work, a lot of fun and a lot of togetherness for the family," said Don, who lives in Mt. Lebanon and is the tournament director for the National Collegiate Clay Court Championships and Futures event at the Mt. Lebanon Tennis Center.

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Council seeks space for tennis courts

By Kim Lawrence
Tribune-Review
April 27, 2002

Peters Township council members are looking for more space for residents to play tennis.

Since the new library was built and the old library converted into police and parks department offices, land was taken that was originally used for tennis courts. Since the library opened in April 2000 and the police station opened four months later, Councilwoman Jackie Campbell believes it's time for the township to get on the ball.

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Tennis Club propels South Park's success

By Matt Townsend
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
April 25, 2002

The secret to the South Park tennis team's success in the program's first season is the Glen Creek Tennis Club.

The South Park facility has had a hand in the entire team's development, including PIAA Class AA qualifier Dan Gal.

"Part of the reason why we have a good team is because of the Glen Creek Tennis Club," said first-year coach Chuck Correll, who left Chartiers Valley after two seasons. "They just have great teaching pros, who are running a tremendous youth program.

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U.S. Davis Cup chair from North Hills

Sunday, April 21, 2002
By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Bob Ruzanic is part traveling secretary, part psychologist for the United States Davis Cup team that is marching toward its first championship since 1995.

Ruzanic, who lives in North Hills and grew up in the area, is in the final year of his second two-year term as chairman of the Davis Cup committee.

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William L. Colbert / Trusted adviser, multitalented champion of civil rights

Thursday, April 04, 2002
By Milan Simonich, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

William L. Colbert was a trailblazing athlete who opened Pittsburgh's tennis courts to black people and later used his political clout to reshape the face of city government.

Trim, intelligent, fierce and determined, he became a force for social change in Pittsburgh as a teen-ager in the 1940s. He did it by winning a citywide tennis tournament, the first black player to accomplish that feat in an era of segregated courts.

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City's "Mr. Tennis" will be missed

By Jim Rudolph
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, March 4, 2002

Paul G. Sullivan, Pittsburgh's "Mr. Tennis," died this past Wednesday. He was 98. Four generations of tennis players were served by his unselfish dedication to his sport.

Inducted into the United States Tennis Association-Middle States Section's Hall of Fame in October 2001, Sullivan received the USTA's highest honor and recognition. Accompanied by his son, Paul Jr., Sullivan regaled attendees with nostalgia, stories, and convictions.

Tom Benic, the USTA/MS Allegheny Mountain District's public relations committee chairman, wrote the following biography for Sullivan's induction:

"This Pittsburgh native was the first in his family to take up the game, and his love for the sport has never faltered. He made the varsity tennis team at Duquesne University as a freshman in 1922 and was captain his last three years. Sullivan played in local tournaments well into his 80s, shunning age-group competitions and always entering the open draw.

"After graduating from Duquesne University Law School, he returned to coach (on a gratis basis) the men's tennis team for many years. Over a 30-year period beginning in the 1920s, Sullivan umpired professional tennis matches that came to Pittsburgh. Two top players who had turned professional played a principle match. Two secondary players provided another singles match and doubles competition for these events. This professional tour included players such as Bill Tilden, Don Budge and Suzanne Lenglen.

"But Paul Sullivan will be best remembered as a tournament director and an ardent supporter of tennis for the general public in Pittsburgh for most of his life. For the past 70 years, he has directed the Pittsburgh Parks Tennis Championships, a tenure that may be the longest of any tournament director in the nation. His insistence on a minimal entry fee ($2 for singles and $3 for a doubles team in the 2000 summer event) is credited with giving thousands their first opportunity to play tournament tennis."

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Paul G. Sullivan / Lawyer, tennis event organizer, writer

Monday, March 4, 2002
By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer 

Paul G. Sullivan, the iron-willed force behind the longest-running public tennis tournament in Pittsburgh, one of the oldest practicing lawyers in Allegheny County and a sports writer for the Sun-Telegraph, died Wednesday at Mercy Hospital. He was 98

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Sports-loving attorney 'lived 10 lives in one'

By Anthony Todd Carlisle
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, March 1, 2002

When hardly anyone could lay a glove on a young Cassius Clay — better known as Muhammad Ali — Paul G. Sullivan Sr. came close to knocking out the former heavyweight champ.

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Herrs Island firm shooting for global presence Company finds growth in tennis racket strings

Thursday, December 06, 2001
By Corilyn Shropshire, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Nearly 30 years ago, in an Edgewood basement, a Westinghouse Electric scientist began experimenting on tennis racket strings. He stretched and pulled the nylon fibers, certain he could develop a string that would improve the game of tennis enthusiasts everywhere.

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Profiles in Motion

Tuesday, November 27, 2001
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A profile of Pittsburgh tennis player, coach, and fitness fanatic Mike Varlotta.

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Pittsburgh Men Capture Second Place at National Championships

The men's team from Pittsburgh captured second place at the USA League Tennis presented by Lincoln 4.5 Adult National Championships held at the Randolph Tennis Center in Tucson, Arizona from November 15-18, 2001.

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Mt. Lebanon's Johnson fulfills dream on Davis Cup team

Friday, October 12, 2001
By Maria Sciullo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Donald Johnson's dream of playing Davis Cup tennis is older than some of his USA teammates. At 33, the Mt. Lebanon High School graduate carries the flag this weekend, when the United States plays host to India in a Davis Cup by NEC world group qualifying round in Winston-Salem, N.C.

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Upper St. Clair, Rochester girls smash theories, claim WPIAL titles

Wednesday, October 10, 2001
By Rich Emert
Tri-State Sports & News Service

A number of theories were smacked over the fence and into North Park Lake yesterday afternoon at the WPIAL tennis girls' doubles finals.

The theory that practice makes perfect took a hit. The Upper St. Clair doubles team of Jessie Jones and Shayna Miller proved that isn't necessarily true. They won the WPIAL Class AAA title with a 6-2, 6-2, victory against Kim Whelan and Christie D'Achille of North Allegheny at the North Park courts. Jones and Miller practiced doubles together just two days before winning the Section 4-Class AAA title last week and just once this past weekend.

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French native takes over reins of Plum tennis program

By Paul Kogut Staff writer
Valley News Dispatch
Thursday, August 16, 2001

The WPIAL probably doesn't have a female tennis player who will make it to the French Open, one of the four major professional tournaments. But the Plum tennis program does have a touch of France in coach Sylvain Rovera.

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'Super Saturday' lineup expanded

By Jim Rudolph
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
July 28, 2001

The United States Tennis Association announced the addition of a John McEnroe-Boris Becker "Heineken Challenge" match to its U.S. Open "Super Saturday" lineup, rounding out one of the biggest event days in tennis history. The match will follow the Women's Singles Championship on Sept. 8. The match will be a best two of three sets, with the third set consisting of a 10-point tiebreak. The winner will take the entire $100,000 prize money.

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Tennis: College event rated success Sunday

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
July 22, 2001

There were glitches, to be sure, but tournament director Don Mercer gave two thumbs up for the National Collegiate Clay Courts Championships and $10,000 Futures of Pittsburgh that ran concurrently two weeks ago at the Mt. Lebanon Tennis Center.

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Heat provides obstacle for mid-summer tennis

By Jim Rudolph
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
July 21, 2001

Heat and humidity create challenges for the mid-summer tennis player. Frequent tennis still can be played if care is taken with proactive steps and careful attention to potential heat problems.

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Schwartz captures pair of titles

By Jim Rudolph
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
July 14, 2001

Pittsburgh's Gary Schwartz won both the Men's Open and Men's 35's of the Citiparks Holiday Classic at the Schenley Park Tennis Center. Schwartz defeated Leo Sweeney, also of Pittsburgh, 6-4, 6-3 in the open championship and then defeated New Kensington's Mike Odrey, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3 in the 35's championship.

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Player's doubles vision pays off at Wimbledon

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
July 10, 2001

Dave Pollack had a flashback as he sat in front of the television Sunday watching Don Johnson, his college partner, win the men's doubles title at Wimbledon.

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Tired Australian grabs championship

July 09, 2001
By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

After nearly two hours of trading topspin lobs, deft dinks, overheads and sharply angled backhands and forehands, Brian Vahaly and Jaymon Crabbe saved their best point for last.

Jaymon Crabbe outlasts Brian Vahaly, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, in the final yesterday. (Annie O'Neill, Post-Gazette) There was Vahaly, at the net, flicking volleys to either side of the court at the Mt. Lebanon Tennis Center. There was Crabbe, chasing them down, finally passing Vahaly with a lunging forehand.

Game, set and match for Crabbe.

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Crabb crowned Futures champ

By Chris Harlan
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
July 9, 2001

Throughout the first four rounds of the USTA Futures of Pittsburgh tennis tournament, unseeded Brian Vahaly had repeatedly worn down opponents. The University of Virginia graduate had twice come from a set down to take matches and sneaked into Sunday's championship as somewhat of an unknown to many of the professionals - despite being the NCAA Division I runner-up this past year. But in the finals, the opposition was too strong for a tired Vahaly to pull out yet another three-set victory as top-seeded Jaymon Crabb came from 3-1 down in the third to claim the tournament title, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, on the clay courts at the Martin Tressel Tennis Center in Mt. Lebanon yesterday.

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Three players account for titles sweep at West Penn Championships

By Chris Harlan
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
July 8, 2001

Three names dominated the draw sheets during the finals of the West Penn/National Clay Court Championships at Martin Tressel Tennis Center in Mt. Lebanon - Mark Riddell, Mariko Fritz-Krocklow and Jonathan Stokke. Combined, the trio made seven championship appearances Saturday and walked away with all five titles.

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Clay Championship serves history

By Jim Rudolph
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
July 7, 2001

This week's National Collegiate Clay Championships and West Penn Open at the Martin Tressel Center in Mt. Lebanon brings to mind some of the great history of western Pennsylvania tennis. In 1874, Mary Ewing Outerbridge bought a set of lawn tennis equipment, and introduced tennis at the Staten Island Cricket and Baseball Club in New York City. Not long after, five clay tennis courts were laid out by the Sewickley Athletic Association.

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Default finishes Warren's run
Surprise quarterfinalist exits tournament after a victory

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
July 06, 2001

Who is Brett Warren and how did he become a central character in one of the most bizarre developments in the history of the West Penn/National Collegiate Clay Court Championships?

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Who will be next Futures star?

Sunday, July 1, 2001
By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

A year ago, Andy Roddick was one of the many nameless and faceless teenagers with a dream playing on the Futures circuit. Today, he is the darling at Wimbledon and called the future of American tennis. Armed with a 125 mph serve, Roddick opened the eyes of the tennis world with a stunning upset against No. 11 seed Thomas Johansson in the second round of the tournament. The stage for Roddick's coming out party was Centre Court.

Will there be another Roddick in the field of 32 men who will be competing in the $10,000 Futures of Pittsburgh tournament this week at the Mt. Lebanon Courts? The purse will be the biggest ever in the area for men's tennis and will attract the highest caliber of men's player for a tournament.

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Tournament fun for all

June 10, 2001
By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Less than two weeks after the conclusion of the National Men's 40 Indoor Championships, Ethel Hansen, one of the many unpaid volunteers who has helped the tournament run smoothly the past seven years, is looking ahead to next year's event at the Oxford Athletic Club East.

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Local player falls in tournament
Top seed too strong in national semifinals

May 23, 2001
By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Craig Perry didn't think his game could hold up against the better players in the National Men's 40 Indoor Tennis Championships.

Craig Perry, playing in his first tournament in 12 years, reached the semifinals of the National Men's 40 Indoor Tennis Championships in Monroeville before falling to the defending champion yesterday. He was wrong. Perry was convinced he would be overmatched. Wrong again. "I competed pretty well," said Perry, 39, of Export, who was making his first appearance in the tournament. "My arm wore down as the week went on, but it was good to compete again."

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Local pro set for Men's 40 debut Sunday

May 13, 2001
By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

When Craig Perry checked his tennis calendar this year and realized he was eligible to play in the National Men's 40 Indoor Championships, the first thought that popped into his mind was "Now I know I'm old."

Perry, 39, will make his first appearance in the tournament that begins Friday and will run through May 23 at the Oxford Athletic Club in Monroeville. This will be a homecoming for Perry, who spent 13 years as the director of tennis at the Oxford Athletic Club.

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Schenley  senior bests teammate
Top seed captures City League crown in straight-set win

Wednesday, May 9, 2001
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In a matchup of teammates at yesterday's City League singles tennis championship, the elder Spartan went home with the title. Schenley teammates Lionel Williams and Micah Slavkin met in the title match at Greentree Racquet Club. Williams, a senior and the tournament's No. 1 seed, beat Slavkin, a junior, 6-1, 6-2.

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Tennis: CMU standout defending title

Sunday, April 29, 2001
By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Carnegie Mellon's Pete Moss was forced to become a better coach the moment Kayvon Fatahalian arrived on campus two years ago.

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Tennis: King vs. Riggs was big for sport
Sunday, April 22, 2001
By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Berry Campagna, a champion for women's tennis the past five decades, still looks back at Billie Jean King's victory against Bobby Riggs nearly 30 years ago as a defining moment in the growth of the sport.

"It was big, very big," said Campagna, 70, who recently received the Mangan Award given by the United States Tennis Association's Middle States section for "her significant contributions to the game of tennis."

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WPIAL Tennis: Jopling's blue shirt smashing success
N. Allegheny senior takes Class AAA title

Saturday, April 21, 2001
By Mike White, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

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Tennis: Mercer serves up big-money event

By Phil Axelrod, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
Sunday, April 01, 2001

Ron Mercer's goals were twofold when he helped put together the Pittsburgh Pro Tennis Challenge: To serve up a high-profile event that will be the centerpiece of the district season, and to ace the star-studded field.

Mercer will be one of the favorites in the $6,000 men's open singles tournament this weekend at Western Area YMCA located behind Robinson Town Centre.

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Pittsburgh's Karen Backus and Megan Johnson Victorious in Adelphoi Tennis Classic

The Fourth Annual Adelphoi USA Mid-Winter Tennis Classic was held at the Greensburg Racquet Club on February 2, 3 & 4. All proceeds raised during the three day tournament benefit Homes Build Hope, a nonprofit agency started by Adelphoi, as a means to help homeless and low income families in Westmoreland County.

Karen Backus and Megan Johnson won the 3.0 & Under Women’s Doubles event, defeating Linda Cribbs(Clymer)/Theresa Wise (Indiana) 3-6, 7-6, 6-4. Karen and Megan are well-known regulars at Edgewood and Parkway round robins and on Pittsburgh's Citiparks courts during the summer. They won four rounds to capture their first Adelphoi event. Three of the four matches went three sets, each time requiring them to come from one set down. Backus and Johnson defeated the top seeds, Charlene Zeleznock and Sherrie Aspinall, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 to get into the finals. They just refused to loose!

The Adelphoi Mid-Winter Tennis Classic is the largest tennis tournament in Western Pennslyvania that is ran for a charity. Now in its 4th year, it has grown every year since its inception. This year's draw had 100 doubles teams playing. The sponsors are hoping this trend will continue and are eager to attract more players from the Pittsburgh area.

The Winners and Finalists in all 9 categories are listed
here.

[Go here for older Pittsburgh tennis news]

Tournament & League Results

2001 Pittsburgh Tennis League Results

2001 Citiparks Holiday Classic at  Schenley Park

Gary Schwartz defeated Leo Sweeney 6-4, 6-3 in the open championship

Gary Schwartz defeated Mike Odrey, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3 in the 35's championship.

2001 Pittsburgh Pro Tennis Challenge
Western Area YMCA April 6-8

Final
Marc Silva (1) def Adam Baranowski (3), 6-3, 7-5

Semifinal
Marc Silva (1) def Igor Levine (6), 6-1, 6-1
Adam Baranowski (3) def Rey Puentes (5), 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(4)

2001 Greentree Spring Tennis Kickoff

Men's 35 Singles
Steve Kaufman def Brain Garlick, 6-2, 6-3

Men's 45s Singles
Chuck Taylor def Jimmy Block, 6-0, 6-3

Men's 45 Doubles
Bucky Phillips and Jerry DeValle def. Denny Kreider and Jimmy Block, 6-4, 7-5

Open Mixed Doubles
Bucky Phillips and Jill Willams def Chuck Taylor and Cindy Taylor, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3

2001 Adelphoi Mid-Winter Tennis Classic

Greensburg Racquet Club, Feb 2-4

Men’s Open: Mark Kissell/Paul Turtzer d. Brett Harman/John Potanko 6-7, 6-4, 6-4. Kissell (Hostetter) and Turtzer (Greensburg) had dropped last years final against Hartman (Greensburg) and Potanko (North Huntington) in three tie breakers.

3.5-4.0 Men’s Doubles: Nick Cup/Dennis Rafferty d. Bob Fierle/Don Mansfield 6-1, 6-2. Cup (Hermanie) and Rafferty (Latrobe), the #1 seeds, defended their title with an easy win over surprise finalists Mansfield (Harrison City) and Fierle (Greensburg). Mansfield and Fierle recovered from 1-6, 1-4, 0-30 to defeat 2nd seeded Jim Bendel and George Voloch in the second round.

3.0 & Under Men’s Doubles: Rishi Bajaj/Nick Voloch d. Chris Gesenski/Brian Gesenski 6-3, 6-3. An all high school final, Bajaj and Voloch (Hempfield) coasted past the Gesenski brothers (Mt. Pleasant).

Women’s Open: Jamie D’Angelo/Lisa Keylor d. Elaine Gall/Lori Orthen 6-3, 6-4. The top seeded team of D’Angelo and Keylor, both from Wheeling, won their first Adelphoi title, beating local favorites Gall (Greensburg) and Orthen (Harrison City).

3.5-4.0 Women’s Doubles: Tammy Rusbosin (Latrobe)/Suzanne Skero (Greensburg) d. Linda Soltis/Gerre Vecchiola (both of Greensburg) 6-7, 7-5, 7-5. The top seeds won their third Adelphoi title in four years by edging Soltis and Vecchiola in almost three hours.

3.0 & Under Women’s Doubles: Karen Backus (Pittsburgh)/Megan Johnson (Pittsburgh)d. Linda Cribbs (Clymer)/Theresa Wise (Indiana) 3-6, 7-6, 6-4. Backus and Johnson won four rounds to capture their first Adelphoi event. Three of their four matches went three sets, each time requiring them to come from one set down. Backus and Johnson defeated the top seeds, Charlene Zeleznock and Sherrie Aspinall, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 to get into the finals.

Mixed Open: Trent Goerk (Pittsburgh) /Meredith LaVelle (Allison Park) d. Terry Way/Karissa Walker 7-6, 6-2. Gorek and LaVelle from Pittsburgh won the mixed title with a win over Jerry Way (Belle Vernon) and defending high school state champion Karissa Walker from Latrobe.

Mixed 3.5-4.0: Dan and Tammy Rusbosin edged Dennis Rafferty and Rosi Littlefield 3-6, 6-4, 7-6. The Rusbosins captured the mixed doubles title for a third time, outlasting Dennis Rafferty of Latrobe and Rosi Littlefield of Champion.

Mixed 3.0: John Arzbacher/Pat Arzbacher d. Jason VanAlstine/Jamie Herbstritt 7-6, 7-5. The Arzbachers, of Mt. Pleasant, won the 3.0 mixed title with a win over Jason VanAlstine and Jamie Herbstritt of St. Marys.

2000 NAACP Tournament at Schenley Park

???     If you know the results, email them to me.

2000 Pittsburgh Parks Championships at Frick Park

Men's Singles

Leo Sweeney def Mike Sayette, 8-6, 9-7

Men's Doubles

Alex Battaglia & Isaka Akamsi def Kim Roberts & Jackie Washington, 6-3, 6-4

Women's Singles

Candice Harris def Leah Davis, 6-0, 5-7, 6-1

Women's Doubles

Meg Cooper & Sarah Delano def Jane Costa & Gloria Hill, 6-1, 6-1

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2000 National Collegiate Clay Court Championships

Men's Singles

James Kent (5) def Ed Carter (1), 6-3, 3-6, 6-4

Women's Singles

Sarah Riske (2) def Megan Yeats (1), 5-7, 6-0, 6-2

2000 Citiparks/Gamma Classic

Men's Open Singles

Heath Montgomery def Alan Quackenbush, 6-3, 6-1

Women's Open Singles

Mariana Gundin Perry def Dana Jefarian, 6-2, 6-1

Men's 35s Singles

Leo Sweeney def Greg Rymer, 6-4, 7-5

Men's Open Doubles

Heath Montgomery & Chris Celechovski def Balaji Scrinivasan & Erik Feldman, 6-4, 7-5

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2000 Edgewood Invitational

Ron Mercr def  Tom Mercer, 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7)

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2000 National Men's 40s Indoor Championships

Val Wilder def Mike Rose, 6-2, 6-3

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2000 Keystone State Games

Girls' 12 Singles -- Round Robin 1
Elizabeth Adams, BMT/West Lawn, PA d. Gabrielle Catanzariti, ALG/Pittsburgh, PA
6-0; 6-0

Elizabeth Adams, BMT/West Lawn, PA d. Gabriela Mastromarino, BMT/Wyomissing,
PA 6-0; 6-0

Gabriela Mastromarino, BMT/Wyomissing, PA d. Gabrielle Catanzariti,
ALG/Pittsburgh, PA 6-0; 6-1

Boys 14 Singles -- Finals
Christopher Racz, PHL/Philadelphia, PA d. Dimitri Abdoulline, NIT/Johnstown, PA 6-0;
6-1

Boys 14 Singles -- 3-4 Playoff
Kristopher Celtnieks, ALG/Indiana, PA d. Paul Recalde, NIT/Lewistown, PA Def (ns)

Girls 14 Singles -- Finals
Priya Narahari, NIT/Johnstown, PA d. Christy Bungo, ALG/Indiana, PA 6-3; 6-0

Girls 14 Singles -- 3-4 Playoff
Kristin Wilt, NIT/New Columbia, PA d. Meghan Machella, NIT/Johnstown, PA 6-1; 6-0

Boys 16 Singles -- Finals
Scott Kahler[1], ALG/Pittsburgh, PA d. Matt Stopp[2], NIT/Altoona, PA 6-1; 6-3

Boys 16 Singles -- 3-4 Playoff
Matthew Otis[4], ALG/Bedford, PA d. Prabhu Narahari[3], NIT/Johnstown, PA 0-6; 6-2;
6-2

Boys 16 Doubles -- Finals
Kahler S - Narahari P [1] d. Kopelcheck K - Zalonis A 6-1; 6-0

Boys 16 Doubles -- 3-4 Playoff
Celtnieks K - Celtnieks W d. Feltenberger S - Weaver R 6-2; 5-7; 6-1

Boys 18 Singles -- Finals
Ian Holtzman[2], NIT/Johnstown, PA d. Aaron Greene, CAP/Littlestown, PA 6-1; 6-3

Boys 18 Singles -- 3-4 Playoff
Stephen Hearn, POC/Montrose, PA d. Anthony Ramirez, NIT/Johnstown, PA 6-3; 6-4

Boys 18 Doubles -- Finals
Otis M - Pennington M d. Holtzman I - Kwiatkowski J [1] 6-4; 6-3

Boys 18 Doubles -- 3-4 Playoff
Greene A - Hearn S d. Delpozzo P - Lee A 6-3; 6-2

Girls 18 Singles -- Finals
Jessica Bungo[1], ALG/Indiana, PA d. Beth DeBiase[2], NIT/Windber, PA 6-1; 6-0

Girls 18 Singles -- 3-4 Playoff
Kelley Dodgson, POC/Archbald, PA d. Jennifer Mock, NIT/Johnstown, PA 6-1; 6-0

Girls 18 Doubles -- Finals
Bungo C - Bungo J [1] d. Cappellini T - Dodgson K 6-3; 6-1

Girls 18 Doubles -- 3-4 Playoff
Gilpatrick B - Shaver S d. Cooney E - Weckoski A 6-2; 6-2

Mixed 18 Doubles -- Finals
Narahari P - Narahari P d. Brown J - Skoutelas P 6-1; 6-0

Mixed 18 Doubles -- 3-4 Playoff
Ramirez A - Schilli S d. Naidu A - Udinson F [1] Wd (inj)

Girls 16 Singles -- Finals
Amanda Becker[2], POC/Honesdale, PA d. Taryn Cappellini[1], POC/Jessup, PA 6-4;
6-3

Girls 16 Singles -- 3-4 Playoff
Candace Bungo[3], ALG/Indiana, PA d. Aurora Ellerbach, ALG/Indiana, PA 6-2; 6-4

Girls 16 Doubles -- Finals
Bungo C - Ellerbach A [1] d. Brown J - Brown L 6-1; 6-2

Girls 16 Doubles -- 3-4 Playoff
Naidu A - Wilkinson H d. Anderson B - Suplee-Schaefer K 6-1; 6-3

Mens Open Singles -- Finals
Robert Pennington[1], NIT/Altoona, PA d. Bruce Wechtenhiser[3], NIT/Johnstown, PA
6-1; 6-2

Mens Open Singles -- 3-4 Playoff
Mark Mintmier[4], NIT/Johnstown, PA d. Corey Varner[2], NIT/Saint Michael, PA 6-0;
6-3

Mens Open Doubles -- Round Robin 1
Aull W - Kerchner R d. Lawless M - McClain S 3-6; 6-3; 7-6(4)
Aull W - Kerchner R d. Ramirez A - Ramirez J 4-6; 6-3; 6-0
Lawless M - McClain S d. Ramirez A - Ramirez J 6-3; 6-4 Womens Open Singles -- Finals

Jill Williams[1], ALG/Pittsburgh, PA d. Jennifer Spaid, NIT/Johnstown, PA 6-1; 6-1

Womens Open Singles -- 3-4 Playoff
Maria Bolger, NIT/Altoona, PA d. Blythe Wechtenhiser, NIT/Johnstown, PA 7-6(5); 6-3

Mixed Open Doubles -- Finals
Phillips B - Williams J [1] d. Wechtenhiser B - Wechtenhiser B 7-5; 6-2

Mixed Open Doubles -- 3-4 Playoff
Christner C - Sholtis D d. McMullen K - Miller J 6-2; 6-4

Womens 35 Singles -- Finals
Cindy Penatzer, ALG/Stoystown, PA d. Chris Richey[1], NIT/Johnstown, PA 6-2; 6-3

Womens 35 Singles -- 3-4 Playoff
Cathy Foust, NIT/Johnstown, PA d. Lois Sholtis, NIT/Johnstown, PA 6-0; 6-3

Womens 35 Doubles -- Finals
Pruchnic S - Vella S d. Buczek A - Richey C [1] 6-3; 6-2

Womens 35 Doubles -- 3-4 Playoff
McMullen K - Sholtis L d. Penatzer C - Pershing E 7-6(4); 4-6; 6-3

Mens 35 Doubles -- Round Robin 1
Shuhayda B - Shuhayda E d. Adams D - Sterner J 5-7; 6-4; 6-0
Shope D - Zubal M d. Adams D - Sterner J 6-2; 6-3
Shope D - Zubal M d. Shuhayda B - Shuhayda E 6-1; 6-0

Mens 45 Singles -- Finals
Bucky Phillips[1], ALG/Monongahela, PA d. Michael Zubal[2], NIT/Johnstown, PA 6-0;
6-1

Mens 45 Singles -- 3-4 Playoff
Dick Sholtis, NIT/Johnstown, PA d. Jeffery Sterner, NIT/Johnstown, PA 6-0; 6-0

Womens Open Doubles -- Round Robin 1
Christner C - Sheets L d. Bolger M - Choi J 7-5; 6-0
Christner C - Sheets L d. DeBiase B - Petrilli B 6-3; 6-1
Bolger M - Choi J d. DeBiase B - Petrilli B 4-6; 6-4; 6-3

Girls 14 Doubles -- Round Robin 1
Becker A - Narahari P d. Machella M - Mall R 6-0; 6-1
Adams E - Mastromarino G d. Machella M - Mall R 6-0; 6-1
Becker A - Narahari P d. Adams E - Mastromarino G 6-1; 6-1

USTA Middle States Section News
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USTA Allegheny Mountain District News
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College & High School Tennis

Carlow Collage Tennis

Carnegie Mellon University Varsity Tennis

Duquesne University Men's Tennis

Duquesne University Women's Tennis

University of Pittsburgh Women's Tennis

• Pitt's Women's Tennis Fared Well at the Women's Collegiate Invitational

West Liberty State College Woman's Tennis

• Katie Dellich, a local high school tennis player, will play for West Liberty State College in  Wheeling, WV on their Division 2 nationally ranked team this coming Fall.
  Read More

• West Liberty State Continues WVIAC Women's Tennis Dominance With Local Player

  (CHARLESTON, WV)---West Liberty State won every singles and doubles championship en route to claiming the WVIAC Women's Tennis Championship on Saturday. WLSC rolled up a perfect total of 36 points to outdistance Charleston and West Virginia Wesleyan at the Players' Club.

  Hilltopper players did not lose a set in the nine championship matches.

  Local tennis player Katie Dellich (West Liberty) d. Blair Thornton (WVW) 6-4, 6-0

  Katie Dellich from Butler,Pa was a 4 year varsity letter player playing #1 singles all 4 years for Butler High School. Katie was also a ranked USTA Middle States player. Katie is a So. at West Liberty State College studying Pre-Law

  Last year the Lady Hilltoppers won the NCAA Eastern Regionals and went to the NCAA National playoffs.  Playoffs for the Eastern Regional Finals will be held this April.

National College Tennis News

2001 WPIAL Girls Tennis Results

2001 WPIAL Boys Tennis Results

Beyond the Baseline Tennis Blog The Webmaster's Rants & Raves about the Pittsburgh Tennis  Scene and Beyond > Read and Comment

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