THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509150205
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAN COOLEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
WHEN YOU THINK of the top tennis players in high school in Virginia, you usually think of Virginia Beach or the Washington area but certainly not Suffolk. But that was before 16-year-old Craig Rice came on the scene.
A junior at Nansemond-Suffolk, Rice recently won the 16 and Under state title at Princess Anne Country Club in Virginia Beach. It was Rice's second state crown in the last three years. He previously won the 14 and Under state title.
The win was a measure of revenge for Rice, who finished fifth in last year's tournament. He was seeded No. 1 both times.
``I guess there was a little pressure (as the) No. 1 seed last year,'' Rice said. ``But I thought I played well. The competition was a lot stronger than the year before.''
This year though, Rice was obviously ready for the step up in competition.
According to Nansemond-Suffolk coach Ray Carson, several things have attributed to Rice's success in tennis. Coaching tips, from people such as former William and Mary and North Carolina tennis players Harry Cross and Whitney Saunders and Old Dominion assistant coach John Delcarmen, have helped.
Family support has also been an asset. Carson said many times he has seen Rice's father playing tennis with his son in the coldest of weather. And success may also be in the genes. Older sister Dana, now in college, also played tennis for Nansemond-Suffolk.
But longevity in the sport is one of the main ingredients for success. Rice has been playing tennis for eight years.
``He has a master's degree in tennis,'' Carson said. ``He wins because he's very consistent. He doesn't make unforced errors and he's very smart. He's able to find people's weaknesses and exploit them. He's also very determined.''
That high level of determination showed up when Rice needed it most, in the championship match. After quickly disposing of his first four opponents in straight sets, things got unexpectedly tough in the finals. He lost the first set, 6-3, to Jonathan Chou of Hampton Roads Academy.
``(Chou) was playing a little better than before, but I figured I was still in the match,'' Rice said.
Rice quickly grabbed that momentum by winning the first four games of the second set. He went on to win the set easily, 6-1.
Things got tough again in the decisive third set, with the players tied at three. But Rice then held serve twice and broke Chou in between, for a 6-3 win and the championship.
With the two state crowns, one would think several colleges would come knocking. Surprisingly, none have come calling yet.
Still, Carson said he believes when the time comes, Rice should be able to play at the Division I college level.
``If he grows stronger, gets to be a little quicker and his serve gets stronger, he could possibly be successful at the major college level,'' Carson said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Craig Rice, a junior at Nansemond-Suffolk, recently won his second
state crown in the last three years.
by CNB