
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 7, 1990                   TAG: 9007070138
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Scott Blanchard
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

LITTLE ATHLETE, BIG IMPRESSION

Kristen Stubbs already was down a foot in height and five years in age when she played Amy Ward on Friday in the girls' 14-and-under division of the Virginia CorEast State Games tennis tournament.

She didn't give up much else.

Stubbs, a 9-year-old from Roanoke who plays tennis at Hidden Valley Country Club, ousted Ward 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 to move into today's semifinal round. Stubbs is the youngest female player in the tournament. Her brother, Matt, is the youngest player. He is 7.

"I think it's great," said Stubbs, who then was asked how she pulled off the upset. "I could move her around."

State Games tennis director Mel Fiel watched the match. "She was just firing the ball at Ward," Fiel said of Stubbs, who stands 4-foot-2. "It was amazing. You can't believe a girl her size could generate that much power on the ball."

Stubbs also was armed with a winning strategy. She said Ward, from Richmond, had an excellent backhand. So . . .

"I hit it to her forehand," Stubbs said.

by CNB