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Titles are in their sights

Tribune photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

A powerful serve makes Alford one of the favorites to claim a Class 3A singles title.

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By KATHERINE SMITH | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 26, 2009

It's pretty tough to get a rise out of Michael Alford.

The Wharton High junior methodically goes through his tennis matches without making so much as a peep. While his opponents scream and talk to themselves in frustration, Alford carefully crafts each point in near silence.

That even-keeled nature, along with his mean forehand and powerful serve, makes Alford one of the favorites to claim a Class 3A singles title.

"He covers the court great," Newsome player Andy Hersh said. "You have to play a perfect game when you play him for any chance of beating him."

Alford is the key to Wharton's bid at repeating as state team champion. He leads a talented Wildcats team that includes Ben Hwang (No. 2), Rohit Navelkar (No. 3), Bryant Fuller (No. 4) and Robby Bastain (No. 5).

The survivors

In its race to an undefeated season, the Plant girls team endured several speed bumps.

The rocky road to state began before the season started. A serious automobile accident sidelined senior Kristen Hurst. Then just before districts, the team lost another senior when No. 2 singles player Solange LaPuente left for personal reasons.

Though the Panthers lack seniors, they don't lack experience. They gained a lot of it last year when they finished second at state.

The Panthers hope to improve on last year's finish with Amber Li, a sophomore who finished second in the team singles competition last year, leading the way.

"Last year was so new to us," Plant coach Lynn Vu said. "Everything was unknown, but it won't be that way this year and we can use that experience to our advantage."

The veterans

What Plant lacks in seniors, Berkeley Prep's girls team has in abundance.

The Buccaneers boast three seniors - captain Amanda Morejon (No. 2), Sofia Kim (No. 3) and Alex Barkley (No. 5) - among its five singles players as they return to state for the second consecutive season.

Junior Maria Datcu, the Bucs' No. 1 singles player, adds a lot of depth as well as talent. Datcu advanced to the semifinals of the team singles competition last season.

Berkeley Prep got a rousing sendoff to state with a regional final victory against Shorecrest Prep on the Bucs' home courts. It was the final home match for the seniors, and they'll attempt to bring that down-home feeling with them to Orlando.

FHSAA state championships

When: Class 3A and 1A are Monday through Wednesday; Class 4A and 2A are Wednesday through Friday

Where: 4A and 3A at Sanlando Park and Lake Brantley High (Orlando); 2A and 1A at Red Bug Lake Park, Casselberry and Sylvan Lake Park, Sanford

Who: Team competition - Wharton boys (3A), Plant girls (3A), Berkeley Prep girls (1A); individual competition - Boys: Tyler Snook, Alonso (4A); Michael Alford, Wharton (3A), Andy Hersh, Newsome (3A), Colin Roller, Land O' Lakes (3A), Chase Merlin, Jesuit (2A), Alex Hallenbeck, Tampa Prep (1A); Girls: Amber Li, Plant (3A), Nicola Wellman, River Ridge (3A), Sydney Simpson, Wiregrass Ranch (2), Kelly Palmer, Tampa Prep (1A); doubles competition: boys: Snook/Michael Broderick, Alonso (4A), Alford/Rohit Navelkar, Wharton (3A), Hersh/Colin Edwards, Newsome (3A), Roller/Brandon Vang, Land O' Lakes (3A), Brian Shim/Zack Bandes, Berkeley Prep (1A); girls: Li/Claire Andrews, Plant (3A), Wellman/Tijana Subotic, River Ridge (3A), Palmer/Heather Walsh, Tampa Prep (1A)

FHSAA state championships

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