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Region tennis: Boca Ciega can't overcome Jesuit

 
Published April 11, 2014

ST. PETERSBURG — Jesuit didn't have an answer for Boca Ciega's top player, Dan Stefan. But the Tigers had everything else figured out in a 4-1 win over the Pirates in the Class 2A region final.

They won four of the five singles matches to advance to the state tournament.

"We were fully aware of how good Dan was at No. 1 singles," Jesuit coach Joe Curtis said. "But he can only get one point. What we wanted to do was take care of business in the other four singles matches and not let it go to doubles. Our depth really was the key."

Stefan, who is 14-0 and will play in the individual state tournament, defeated Palmer Evans 6-0, 6-0. At No. 2, Max Azzarelli defeated Nikita Goldenberg 6-0, 6-1.

No. 3 singles was the closest match. Alex Crosby outlasted Boca Ciega's Richard Mannion 6-1, 4-6, 10-1. That was the longest singles match, and Crosby's win clinched it for the Tigers.

Jesuit's No. 4 player, Gantt Meredith, defeated Dennis Norindr 6-0, 6-0, and Dean Lontoc beat Jason Parisi 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5 singles to round out Jesuit's points.

"I think we might have been a little intimidated by how good Jesuit was overall," Boca Ciega coach Kelley Hixson said. "We got thrown off a little bit."

Class A: A day after sweeping Community School of Naples in the region semifinals, Shorecrest met its match, losing 4-1 to Bradenton St. Stephens. Luis Sarabia, at No. 5, was Shorecrest's only winner. In the region semifinals, Sarabia, Peter Litsky, Logan Elder, Rohit Reddy and Jack Ledford won matches. Litsky and Ledford won at No. 1 doubles and Reddy and Elder at No. 2 doubles.