Hillsborough County Captures National Championship; Other Top Finishers

As the second half of the USTA Adult League National Championship Series comes closes, USTA Florida once again, was well represented across the country. With over 15 teams competing since October 21, 2023 a handful of the state’s sectionals winners had top four finishes at their respective National Championships. 

In the first half, USTA Florida had one National Champion, coming out of Miami-Dade County. Once again, USTA Florida had a champion, this time coming in the Adult 55 & Over 8.0 Women’s. On top of that, there were six other teams that were able to secure a top-four finish. 

Adult 55 & Over 8.0 Women’s 

Traveling to the National Championships is a fun and exciting experience for those involved. For Hillsborough County’s team from HCC Tennis Complex, it was nothing short of perfect. The team started out strong, winning their first three pool play matches and securing their spot in the playoffs despite losing their final pool match. 

In the semifinals, they matched up against the ever-strong USTA Southern California. This was a battle of giants as the two were determined to take one another down. Southern California got things started in the top line with a 6-3, 6-3 win. However, that Florida grit and drive helped propel the Florida squad to take the next two lines and win the match 2-1. 

This set up a championship date with the New England section. Like the semifinals, this was a test of will and battle to the final serve. Hillsborough got out to an early lead and rode it through the match, sweeping the finals and becoming National Champions. 

Adult 55 & Over 8.0 Women National Champions: Hillsborough County

Finals: USTA Florida (Hillsborough County) defeated USTA New England 3-0 

No. 1 Doubles: Karen Olson/ Lori Gonzalez (Florida) d. Alicia Ifshin/Karen Garfield 6-4, 6-2 

No. 2 Doubles: Denise Agnew/Dianne Albina (Florida) d. Carol Levine/Ingrid Lopp 1-6, 5-2 RET. 

No. 3 Doubles: Gail Gibson/Elizabeth Burdick (Florida) d. Carol Powers/Carol Chirico 6-2, 6-3 

Hillsborough County Season Roster: Elizabeth Baldwin (Captain), Denise Agnew, Dianne Albina, Allegra Campos, Lori Gonzalez, Kathleen Stein, Elizabeth Burdick, Karen Olson, Joan Simmons, Elizabeth Street, Margaret Roset, Gail Gibson, Michele Ironsmith 

Adult 18 & Over 4.0 Women’s 

Adult 18 & Over 4.0 Women Finalists: Broward County Adult 18 & Over 4.0 Women Finalists

One of the top finishers from Nationals came with the Broward County Adult 18 & Over 4.0 Women from David Park Tennis Center. The team put up a great performance, with an impressive 4-0 record in pool play, things were rolling for the team. 

In the playoff bracket, the Florida section matched up against Mid-Atlantic. It was an intense match, with both teams trading lines back and forth. Mid-Atlantic was able to snag the two singles lines, but Broward didn’t go down easily, storming back and taking all three of the doubles lines to secure their spot in the finals. 

In the Championship, they met against USTA Texas, who also came off a close 3-2 win. However, Texas came out hot and rode that momentum throughout the match, winning 4-1.  

Loren Levine, the captain of the team, was extremely proud of her team’s accomplishment and the progress they’ve made over time to reach this point. “Over the course of two years we spent many hours on the court together, taking clinics, taking lessons, and giving honest feedback to each other to improve our games,” she said. “We never criticized each other, instead we always lifted each other up. There was no drama or egos, just great women who became great friends and loved the sport of tennis and opportunity to play it together.” 

Mixed 40 & Over 8.0 

Mixed 40 and Over 8.0 Finalists: Hillsborough County

Another top finisher came in the Mixed 40 & Over 8.0 draw, where Hillsborough County’s team from HCC Tennis Complex had a remarkable run. Pool play was nearly flawless for the squad as they went 4-0 and only dropped one line and two sets through the four matches. 

In the playoff bracket, their first match was against a team from Pennsylvania. The team from Hillsborough kept their cool and carried their momentum from the first few pool play matches, winning two of the three lines and securing a spot in the championship. However, the finals were dominated by Southern California, but that didn’t diminish the impressive second place finish in the country from the squad. 

Mixed 18 & Over 8.0 

Mixed 18 & Over 8.0: Hillsborough County

Also, there was another team repping Hillsborough County’s HCC Tennis Complex at the National Championship, this time in the Mixed 18 & Over 8.0. The team qualified for the playoff bracket after securing a 3-1 record in pool play with a 57.8% winning percentage. 

The Florida team dropped their semifinal match but was bound to get revenge in the bronze medal match. Hillsborough played against the Pacific Northwest and the two teams were leaving everything they had on the courts.  

In the top line, Pacific Northwest was able to take the match in two very close sets. However, Florida bounced right back, taking both line two and three to secure a 2-1 victory and a third place finish in the division. 

Mixed 40 & Over 7.0 

Mixed 40 and Over 7.0 Finalists: Okaloosa County

Over in the Mixed 40 & Over 7.0 draw, things were great for the Florida team from Okaloosa County. They started pool play extremely hot, winning each match and only dropping two lines in that period.  

Mark Violette, the captain of the team, was thrilled with how they were playing and hopeful to improve on their results from last year. “After reaching the top 4 last year, my team was energized and ready to improve upon that mark,” he said. “The dream was on track after arriving in Surprise, Arizona and finishing the regular draw tied for first place with North California.” 

They faced a tough Eastern team in the semifinals, and it was a battle of grit in the heat. The Florida team left everything on the court. “Unfortunately, we faced two difficult teams in the semi-finals and ended our journey with a back-to-back 4th place,” Mark said. “We are happily disappointed with another 4th place finish, and we will see what next year brings.” 

Adult 18 & Over 4.0 Men’s 

Adult 18 & Over 4.0 Men’s: Miami-Dade County

Coming out of Crandon Park Tennis Center in Miami-Dade County, was another Florida team looking to make some noise. Over in the Adult 18 & Over 4.0 Men’s draw, they got out to a hot start, winning three of four pool play matches. This locked their spot in the playoff against three other top squads. 

The semifinal was against USTA Southern and both teams were playing incredible tennis. Each team was able to win one of the singles line, setting up an intense round of doubles action. Florida stuck on the top line, winning in dominant fashion. Southern was able to maintain composure and win the final two games. The Miami team finished fourth on the weekend to cap off an impressive season. 

Adult 40 & Over 4.0 Women’s 

Adult 40 & Over 4.0 Women’s Finalists: Palm Beach County

To round out the top finishers from Florida, was Plam Beach County’s Adult 40 & Over 4.0 Women’s team representing Mission Bay Tennis Center. The team went 3-1 in pool play and qualified for the playoffs. However, they lost two hard-fought matches, finishing the weekend in fourth place.  

Missed out on any Adult League Tennis action this year? Don’t worry the 2024 season is right around the corner. Visit ustaflorida.com/league to learn how you can take part in the fun.