ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, June 1, 1996 TAG: 9606030046
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: HIGH SCHOOLS
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
Even though Blacksburg clinched a spot in today's Group AA boys' tennis final by sweeping the doubles competition against William Byrd, both coaches conceded that the Indians' ability to pull out three singles victories was the key in their 6-3 semifinal victory at Handley High School in Winchester.
Blacksburg's Mikhal Pfeil came from behind to beat Darin Pearson 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 at No.2 singles and Paul Petersen pulled out a clutch 6-4, 6-2 win at No.4 over Jamar Wright as Blacksburg (13-0) advanced to face York, a 6-3 winner over James Monroe, in today's championship match at 9 a.m.
Robert Gibb beat Miguel Castro 6-3, 6-2 at No.1. Gibb and Pfeil are undefeated in singles play this year.
``Robert and Mike played at the level the team needed,'' said Blacksburg coach Lou Belt. ``As seniors, they had to do that. Paul Petersen winning at No.4 was a major factor. The key was [spots] 3 through 6 - that was Byrd's strength.''
Bill Kniskern, Carey Mason and Ryan Traylor won singles matches for Byrd (15-1) to tie the match at 3. Blacksburg teams of Gibb-David Reynolds, Pfeil-Brent Powell and Petersen-Shane Warner swept doubles play.
``The momentum swing was in singles,'' said William Byrd coach Rick Witt. ``The doubles were really strong for Blacksburg because [Belt] splits his 1 and 2 singles players.
``The two teams played hard and Blacksburg came out ahead. We came in 15-0 and we're not going to hold our heads down. These kids have nothing to be ashamed of at all.''
Gibb advanced to the individual singles championship match by beating York's Sean Maymi 7-6 (7-4), 6-1. He will play Waynesboro's Alper Ozinal, a 6-2, 6-3 winner over Castro, today at 1 p.m.
Timesland was eliminated from individual doubles play. Gibb and Pfeil were beaten by York's Maymi and Eric Christianson 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 and Northside's Justin Young and Drew Anderson lost to Waynesboro's Ozinal and Seth Hart 6-2, 6-0.
In other tennis:
Alper Ozinal of Waynesboro defeated Robert Gibb of Blacksburg 6-1, 6-1 for the Group AA boys' singles tennis championship.
In the consolation match, Sean Maymi of York defeated Miguel Castro of William Byrd 6-1, 7-1.
The Blacksburg team of Robert Gibb and Mikhal Pfiel defeated Northside's Justin Young and Drew Anderson 6-2, 6-3 in the doubles consolation match.
The team championship went to York, which defeated Blacksburg 9-0 in the final.
SOFTBALL Glenvar wins Region C title
Amy Layman pitched a complete game and her teammates staked her to a 5-0 lead as Glenvar captured the Region C softball championship with a 7-3 victory over Castlewood at Radford University.
Both teams advance to the Group A tournament next week with Glenvar (19-5) playing host to St. Paul's and Castlewood (20-3) traveling to Honaker.
Layman gave up three runs on five hits while striking out 10 and walking just one. Sheree Thompson, Niki Turner and Kathy Jenkins each had two hits as Glenvar had seven runs nine hits.
Tasha Fields led Castlewood with a double and triple.
Cave Spring will be after its first Northwest Region softball championship tonight, when the Knights take on Stonewall Jackson in Manassas at 6 p.m.
Stonewall Jackson won its semifinal game Friday against Woodbridge 1-0 in 10 innings.
LENGTH: Medium: 70 linesby CNB