Caribbean, NorCal Win
3.0 18 & Over Nationals in OKC
Victoria Chiesa | October 15, 2019
They come from opposite sides of the country amongst the USTA's 17 sections, but the Northern California women and the Caribbean men came together over Columbus Day weekend in Oklahoma City to be crowned winners of their respective events at the 2019 USTA 18 & Over 3.0 National Championships.
En route to the knockout rounds, both teams were among the elite in the draw stage. Each club recorded a 4-0 record to advance, with the men's Caribbean team topping the overall standings with a 15-5 record across individual scores.
Captain Rafael Luna's team sealed victories over teams from Minnesota (Northern) and Georgia (Southern) in the semifinals and finals, thanks in part to a clean sweep in singles from Hector Davila and Raymond Crespo. The duo combined to go 8-0 in sets played, and dropped just 12 games combined.
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Davila's effort at No. 1 singles was particularly notable, as the effort saw him win both matches by 6-1, 6-1 scorelines.
In addition to the aforementioned trio, the roster also included Alexander Asia, John Esteves Garcia, Walter Lopez, Harry Lopez Reyes, Cesar Marin, Carlos Rios, Gerardo Silva, Francisco Jose Vargas Perez and Edrick Ujaque.
On the women's side, the NorCal team battled to secure their perfect 4-0 record ahead of the semifinals. Overall, the team won three of its four matches by 3-2 scores, and was largely assisted by the strength of its singles play.
After going 6-2 in singles in the four matches ahead of the semifinals, Caitlin Beatty's NorCal squad relied on its doubles prowess to help seal victory in the semifinals and finals.
After splitting singles decisions with teams from the Florida and Intermountain sections, the NorCal team picked up two wins across the three doubles flights to help earn its victories.
Alongside Beatty, the winning women's roster consisted of Rebecca Belding, Andrea Buskey, Meredith Chandler, Audrey Chien, Jane Cook, Elizabeth Cooper, Blair Evans, Lisa Lohre, Rachel Manson, Nicole Ng, Christy Patterson, Kasey Quon, Emily Simone and Anna Simmons over the course of the season.