Mid-Atlantic, Florida Take 55 & Over 8.0 Titles 

The Mid-Atlantic section men’s team and the Florida section women’s team were crowned champions at the USTA League 55 & 8.0 National Championships at the USTA National Campus at Lake Nona in Orlando, Fla. 

The Mid-Atlantic men, who hail from Virginia Beach, Va., claimed a stirring sweep over an Eastern team from Warren, N.J., 3-0, to earn their championship.  Earlier in the day, Virginia Beach defeated the Southern California team from Los Angeles, 2-1, in the semifinals. 

The team was captained by Richard Stevens and featured team members Roy Loehr, David Sloane, Ira Steingold, Mike Sullivan, Paul Barrera, David Cullen, Michael Heisler, Stover Withers, Phil Meadows, Tommy Thompson and William Haycox. The Mid-Atlantic team plays out of the Virginia Beach Tennis and Country Club.  

The Florida section women’s team edged past the Hawaii Pacific squad from Oahu, Hawaii, 2-1, to capture the championship crown. The team, from Jacksonville, Fla., defeated the Eastern team from Roslyn, N.Y., 3-0, in the semifinals to clinch its championship spot. 

Based out of the Southside Tennis Complez, Jacksonville was captained by Mary Armstrong and featured team members Carol Whitmire, Kelly Groce, Diane Smowton, Nina Appleby, Terri Borchelt, Susan Walters, Pamela Tyler, Robin Albaneze and Sharon Anderson.