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

DATE: FRIDAY, June 2, 1995                   TAG: 9506020092
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: FAIRFAX                                 LENGTH: Medium

GLENVAR BOYS' STATE TENNIS TITLE A 4-GONE CONCLUSION

Glenvar won its fourth consecutive Group A boys' tennis championship, beating West Point 6-3 on Thursday as Travis Lam beat Robbie Green 7-6 (7-3), 1-6, 6-4 at fifth singles to clinch the title.

Lam's victory gave Glenvar five victories in six singles matches. Then, Nick Varney and Josh Williamson, who rolled to straight-sets victories and first and second singles, respectively, combined to win at first doubles for the Highlanders. (Results in Scoreboard. B12.)

Varney, seeking his third state title in four years, lost to 1994 champion Patrick Bartlett of Clarke County 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) in the individual singles final. Then, Varney and Williamson lost to Bartlett and Josh Kerr-Hobert 6-2, 6-3 for the doubles crown.

``It was our plan to leave Nick out of the doubles and rest him for the singles,'' said Art Lawrence, Glenvar's coach. ``Then we split sets at Nos.4-5-6 singles, and by the time Travis won to sew it up, we had started with the No.1 doubles.''

Varney rallied against Bartlett before losing. Bartlett had been involved only in individual doubles and singles, while Varney had played four matches Wednesday in team and individual competition.

``I think fatigue is always a factor when you're in team and individual competition, but Patrick Bartlett is a heck of a player,'' Lawrence said. ``Nick hasn't seen anyone like that this year, and we're talking about teams like Cave Spring and Northside that we played trying to get him ready for this.''

As for the state title, Lawrence said the competition gets tougher each year.

``This feels great and it's special because the guys worked so hard,'' Lawrence said. ``When you're defending state champ, I don't care what sport it is, everyone gears up for you. The team is no surprise [to anyone] and there's a lot of pressure. ... But the kids did what they had to do to win.''

What happens now that Varney is graduating?

``I feel good because we lose only three players - Nick, Daniel Webb and Glenn Hambrick,'' Lawrence said. ``I feel like Josh Williamson has improved this year and will be able to step into Nick's shoes. The other spots are wide-open for kids to step up.''