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Gulf Rebounds With 3 Consecutive Wins

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By MATTHEW PARKE Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 7, 2009

Coach Stephen Donaldson calls his Gulf girls team "the most well-rounded and complete team in school history" and their 3-2 record shows that this is not the usual squad. They started the season 0-2, including a close 4-3 loss to River Ridge. Since then, they have won three in a row. Donaldson credits the strong play in doubles and the lower seeds to the hot start. Christa Goad is undefeated in No. 5 singles.

GATORS CHOMPING: The Land O' Lakes boys team is showing up to play in the SAC with their 3-1 record and upset of River Ridge on Thursday. Strong doubles work from Colin Roller, Brandon Vang, Chris Story and Domenic Dolente helped the Gators get their 4-3 win over the Royal Knights. The girls beat Sunlake in Week 2, but have not won an individual match since after shutouts by Wiregrass Ranch and River Ridge.

PIRATE SURPRISE: Pasco coach Mickey Wilks' boys are off to a surprising 5-1 start, with their only loss coming to Wesley Chapel Tuesday. Eric Dee, Mark Christmas, Will Edwards and Austin Johnson are getting it done in singles play and all are 5-1.

RAMS ROLLING: The 5-2 Ridgewood girls team lost a close match to Gulf earlier this week, but have won two straight by beating Hernando Central and Hudson. Their top two, Tamara Bustard and Aleesa Williamson, are a combined 13-1 in singles and 4-0 as a doubles team.

RIVER RIDGE ROMPING: The 5-0 River Ridge girls team is dominating the SAC again. Though they struggled with Gulf in Week 2, the Royal Knights have gone 20-1 in singles and doubles since. Nicola Wellman and Tijana Subotic are undefeated. The boys have struggled with injuries and sickness throughout their lineup, though this has not deterred them from going 5-1.

CHARGE AHEAD: The upstart Wiregrass Ranch girls team is 5-0 and they have shut out their past four opponents. They will have their biggest and admittedly "toughest" match of the season at River Ridge, according to Coach Tammy Shaw. The boys are undefeated as well and are the early favorites to win the SAC if they get a home win against River Ridge.

MIXED RESULTS: The district victory against Nature Coast Tuesday by Zephyrhills has given the girls team a good start at 3-2. Their difficulties in doubles matches (2-10) caught up with them against Gulf and mitigated the big win. Stacy Trovillion has not given up a match at No. 4. The boys beat Ridgewood in Week 1, but have not played well since then, according to Coach Gary Davis.

EN FUEGO: The Academy at the Lakes girls are 2-1 and "on fire" this week, according to Coach Sandy Aucoin. Carrie Layden, Abby Persky and Alex Aucoin have not lost a match. The boys are 1-0 after their 4-3 win against Hernando Christian.

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