Texas men, Caribbean women Win 40 & Over 3.5 Titles

The Texas section men’s team from Plano, Texas, and the Caribbean women’s team from Puerto Rico proved their mettle on the courts this past weekend, claiming the titles at the USTA League Adult 40 & Over 3.5 National Championships held at the Lauderdale Tennis Club in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The Plano team defeated the Mid-Atlantic team from Washington, D.C., 3-2, in the championship match. Earlier in the day, Plano edged past the Intermountain team from Orem, Utah, 3-2, in the semifinals to secure its spot in the final. 

The Texas team was captained by Vikas Thorat and featured Gelvin Bolongaita, Daniel Jentz, Thaliyakkattil Vijayan Prasanth, Doug Walker, Craig Markley, Jim Zimmermann, Sanjay Ambekar, Den Requina, Jim Kawahigashi, Joydeep Bhattacharjee and Prashant Jyothi. It plays out of the High Point Park Tennis Center. 

The women’s team from Puerto Rico topped the Eastern squad from Harrison, N.Y., 3-2, to take the title. The Caribbean section team advanced to the final by defeating the Southern California team from Ventura County, Calif., 3-2, in the semifinals. 

The team was captained by Maria Carmen Bosch and featured Maria E. Calvo, Maria Jimenez, Maruxa Dumont, Michelle White, Sonja Lezcano, Christel Bengoa, Gisela Alemany, Isa Lazcano, Janis Pabon, Johana M. Garcia and Liza M. Medina.