Lady Flames bow out of NAIA tennis
by Lee Sports Information
May 19, 2011 | 282 views | 0 0 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend | print
MOBILE, Ala. — Tony Cavett has been around tennis as a player, teacher and coach for the biggest part of his life, but he walked away from the NAIA Women’s National and the Mobile Tennis Center saying “it was the hardest working team he’s ever been around.”

The Lee Lady Flames bowed out of tournament play on Wednesday, losing to powerful and No. 4-ranked Azusa Pacific, 5-0. “The final score does not indicate how hard our girls fought and just how dedicated this group has been all year,” said Cavett. “There were a lot of tears flowing after the match. I’m really proud of this team.”

Lee came out swinging against the 20-4 Azusa club. In the No. 1 doubles Kelsey Gray and Emily Orist dropped a heartbreaking 9-8 decision (4-0 in the tiebreaker). No. 2 doubles Anna Sandberg and Tarah Garner, and No. 3 doubles Sara Anic and Kassidy Sherlin also fought to the end, losing 8-4.

Before play was stopped with Azusa on top 5-0, Orist had pushed her opponent to a 5-6 tally in No. 4 singles play.

Cavett only loses a pair of seniors (Anic and Sherlin) from the 2011 squad that finished a rugged schedule at 10-6 and were ranked 13th nationally. “We’re adding a couple of players and should be stronger and with more depth next season,” said the Lee leader, “but I want everyone to remember just what a great group of ladies we had this season. I could not ask for any better.”

Singles

1. Sheryl Bon-Bakalov (APU) vs. Kelsey Gray (LU) 6-4,

2-0, unfinished

2. Natalie McNall (APU) vs. Annie Sandberg (LU) 6-3, 1-

2, unfinished

3. Emily Harris (APU) def. Sara Anic (LU) 6-1, 6-0

4. Kim Koetterheinrich (APU) vs. Emily Orist (LU) 6-5,

unfinished

5. Leah Hoffee (APU) vs. Tarah Garner (LU) 6-2, 1-0,

unfinished

6. Casey Wetzig (APU) def. Kassidy Sherlin (LU) 6-1, 6-

0

Doubles

1. Sheryl Bon-Bakalov/Emily Harris (APU) def. Kelsey

Gray/Emily Orist (LU) 9-8 (4-0)

2. Leah Hoffee/Casey Wetzig (APU) def. Annie

Sandberg/Tarah Garner (LU) 8-4

3. Natalie McNall/Molly Ruby (APU) def. Sara Anic/

Kassidy Sherlin (LU) 8-4.