Local Teams Perform Well at Section Championships

For the 18 & Over 5.0 women, Jennifer Gadsky’s squad went 3-1 overall to finish tied for No. 1 in their group. Gadsky’s team claimed the Section championship, though, by virtue of winning a dominant 19 of their 25 sets played and 61 percent of individual games played. The 18 & Over 5.0 men’s team captained by Nick Jannett couldn’t get by a USTA Nebraska team, falling 0-2 in their pair of matchups.

John Brinkmeyer’s 55 & Over men’s 7.0 team was terrific in Pool A play, going 3-0 overall and 7-2 in individual matches to finish atop the pod. Tom Rhoads’s and William Gregerson’s team went 1-2 in Pool B. Brinkmeyer’s squad won their semifinal 2-1 before falling a bit short in the championship, 2-1, to a USTA Oklahoma team.

The 55 & Over women’s 7.0 group led by Susan Blake and Robin Shiras-Cody had a brilliant showing in Pool A action, going 3-0 overall and 15-8 in sets played. The squad stumbled in the semifinals, though, dropping a 2-1 decision to a USTA Kansas team.

In 55 & Over 6.0 women’s double round-robin action, Rose Albrecht’s team posted a 3-1 record to claim a runner-up finish. At the 55 & Over 8.0 level, the USTA St. Louis team captained by Linda Woodard and Norma Feldman finished second in Pool A with a 1-2 mark.

For the 18 & Over 3.0 women, two St. Louis-based teams got to compete in their hometown in the round-robin format. The team helmed by Barbara Rhoads and Kelly Woods collected a second-place finish by winning three team matches. The squad captained by Cherylle Katz and Maria Coomes also had a solid performance, winning two team matches and better than half of their individual matches and sets played.

The 18 & Over 2.5 ladies led by Barbara Rhoads and Mary Shadrach had a standout showing, winning three of their four team matches to earn a second-place finish in Oklahoma City.

Brett Hartig and Bryan Rigby’s 4.5 men’s team claimed second place in Pool A with a 2-1 mark before winning their quarterfinal match, 3-2. The squad then dropped a tight 3-2 decision to the eventual titlist from USTA Heart of America.

After going 2-1 in Pool A, Susan Blake and Robin Shiras-Cody’s 3.5 women’s team advanced to the semis before falling to a USTA Nebraska team. Lori Brewer and Patricia Thomas’s 3.5 squad went 6-9 in individual Pool B matches. The 3.5 men’s team captained by Tom Rhoads and William Gregerson claimed 41 percent of their overall games played in Pool A action.

For the 18 & Over 4.0 women, Shelley Fridley’s squad advanced to the semifinals with a quality win over a team from Iowa. Fridley’s team then dropped a 3-2 match to a Tulsa-based team that went on to capture the Section title. Fridley’s squad went 8-7 individually in Pool A play.

Erica Peterson’s 4.5 women’s team picked up a nice 3-2 win in the quarterfinals against a USTA Heart of America team. Peterson’s group proceeded to fall 3-2 in the semis against the eventual Section championship team from USTA Iowa. Elizabeth Spencer’s 4.5 team went 15-18 in sets in Pool B play.

Dean Williams’s 8.0 men’s team went 1-2 overall (4-5 individually) to stake a second-place finish in Pool A. The Williams squad couldn’t get by a Tulsa team in their quarterfinal matchup.

For the 55 & Over 9.0 women, Cynthia Harrison’s group went 3-6 in individual matches as well as 8-13 in sets played in the round-robin format. The 55 & Over 9.0 men’s team led by Stephen Arnstein split their sets, 10-10, and finished in second place in the double round-robin format.