Florida

Florida Tennis Thrives at Combo 18 & Over 5.5/7.5 Sectional Championships

Jaret Kappelman | February 11, 2025

USTA Florida welcomed teams from around the state as they battled it out on the USTA National Campus courts for the Combo 18 & Over 5.5/7.5 Sectional Championships.

The Combo division adds a unique twist to tennis dynamics. Doubles pairs must align within 0.5 of their NTRP ratings, ensuring their combined level doesn’t surpass the chosen competition tier. For instance, in the 8.5 division, a 4.0 player might partner with a 4.5, creating dynamic matchups.

There were four divisions in play this weekend, with Men’s and Women’s in 5.5 and 7.5. Escambia County dominated the Men’s 5.5 round robin as they didn’t drop a match. Pinellas County was great in the Women’s 7.5 draw as they came out on top. And, Broward County had a great weekend winning both the Men’s 7.5 and Women’s 5.5.

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Once again Florida tennis produced some great competition as the Combo 18 & Over 5.5/7.5 Sectional Championships were a delight for everyone involved. Check out the final results below.

Combo 18 & Over Sectionals Results:

Men’s 5.5

Championship: Escambia County finished in first place of the round robin with a perfect record of 4-0. Alachua County (Play Tennis Gainesville) finished in second place.

Escambia County Season Roster: Robert Landt (Captain), Matthew Meekins (Captain), Xiaobo Dong, Collin Crowson, Ryan Worley, Joseph Tegenkamp, Addison Van Pelt, Peyton Blackledge

Women’s 5.5

Championship: Broward County (Midtown Athletic Club Weston) defeated Polk County (Lakeland Yacht & Country Club) 2-1

No. 1 Doubles: Janet Layug/Ruthie Tait (Polk) d. Ana Milano/Vanessa Silva 6-0, 6-1

No. 2 Doubles: Florina Lazar/Jeehye Park (Broward) d. Jesse Larson/Anna Clark 6-2, 6-1

No. 3 Doubles: Simone Garrett/Raquel de Jesus (Broward) d. Lauren Clark/Courtney Phillips 6-2, 6-4

Broward County Season Roster: Florina Lazar (Captain), Ana Milano (Captain), Sindi Chrzan, Lauren Scafidi, Andrea Guiulfo, Rosmary Bohorquez, Vanessa Silva, Kelly Leong Poi, Simone Garrett, Adriana Gonzalez, Jeehye Park, Raquel De Jesus, Natalia Smyth, Bibiana Gracia, Mariana Cordon

Men’s 7.5

Championship: Broward County (Weston Racquet Club) defeated Hillsborough County (HCC Tennis Complex) 3-0

No. 1 Doubles: Jorge Balsamo/Mauricio Camacho (Broward) d. Gvozden Dokic/Eugen Schwarz 6-2, 6-2

No. 2 Doubles: Santiago Restrepo/Carlos Cadet (Broward) d. Jose Alomar/William Arfsten 6-1, 6-1

No. 3 Doubles: Alejandro Matheus/Fernando Blasi (Broward) d. Erik Breitenbach/Chris Donahue 6-2, 6-1

Broward County Season Roster: Jack Vargas (Captain), Jorge Evaristo (Captain), Ivan E Paez C, Domenico Matinata, Alejandro Matheus, Fernando Blasi, Roberto Palma, Roberto Nieves, Michael Kamrad Mauricio Camacho, Jose F Mendez, Franco De Andreis, Santiago Restrepo, Jorge Balsamo, Ernesto Perez, Augusto Alizo, Carlos Cadet

Women’s 7.5

Championship: Pinellas County (City of Clearwater) defeated Orange County (Sanlando Park) 2-1

No. 1 Doubles: Julie Zalloum/Richelle Hayes (Orange) d. Karen Braudis/Sigrid Bratic 6-2, 6-2

No. 2 Doubles: Teresa Orr/Morgan Domson (Pinellas) d. Lara Luck/Aly Wood 6-1, 6-2

No. 3 Doubles: Kathleen Annichiarico/Patricia Ryan (Pinellas) d. Leticia Monge/Stephanie Weinard 6-1, 3-6, 1-0

Pinellas County Season Roster: Anne Pulley (Captain), Ann Worthington (Captain), Judy Carlin, Mickie Gelestor, Robyn Wittleder, Janet Matthews, Kay Caldwell, Debbie Dawson, Emily Signoracci, Ethel Murphy, Shann Laccabue, Marianne Pienias, Jennifer Bell, Lisa Oonk, Jennifer Lewis

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