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Bustard And Williamson Hope To Power Ridgewood

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By MATTHEW PARKE, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 17, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Tamara Bustard has learned how to be the Ridgewood High girls tennis team's top player the hardest way possible - by playing at No. 1 as an underclassman. And while she may not have the titles yet, she feels the time is right for her to achieve what eluded her in 2007.

According to Ridgewood coach Joe Kelly, Bustard assumed the No. 1 position as a sophomore. She squared off against the best her district had to offer, like Wesley Chapel's Yumi Hasegawa and Brooksville Central's Jeanette McDonald.

"I just took it as a learning experience. All my matches, I took it all in to learn from them and get better," Bustard said.

The one match Bustard said stuck with her from last year was her loss to Gulf's Stephanie Little, whene a nagging injury limited her movement. She said that in her upcoming rematch with Little, she will try harder and not let injury get in the way again.
Bustard spent the majority of the offseason working with tennis coach Lou Giglio. She practices three times a week, often with other Giglio players, including River Ridge's Kristin Greenup and Hudson's Vanessa DeMauri.

"I play year-round. I practice all the time I can get," Bustard said.

As a junior and three-year starter, Bustard said she is committed to winning a district championship and possibly more.

"I feel more confident this year. I want to go to state," Bustard said.

Ridgewood's No. 2 player, Aleesa Williamson, is also Bustard's friend and doubles partner. Williamson had a successful year in 2007, winning a district championship. The two came close to winning a district championship in doubles, but came up short in the semifinals. This year, both stand a good chance of capturing titles separately and together.

"We are a very athletic team. We both play other sports and can get to pretty much everything. We know what each other can get. It's good. The chemistry is there," Bustard said.
Bustard and Williamson both won in their first match of the season against Pasco. But the Rams ultimately came up short Thursday, losing 4-3. Kelly said his top two players have committed themselves to helping their team improve.

"They really push their teammates. It makes my job easier having them around," Kelly said.

Now that her former district foes have graduated, the district is left wide open. But fellow Class 3A-District 5 members and defending Sunshine Athletic Conference champions River Ridge are the front-runners, a fact Bustard acknowledged.

"There is going to be tough competition at River Ridge for No. 1. That is who my main competition is going to be. I know you can never second-guess anybody. You have to go in there thinking you don't know anything about them, play your best and not play down to their level," Bustard said.

Ridgewood's showdown with River Ridge is Feb. 26 at River Ridge.

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