THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508300662
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
It's been almost 10 months since First Colonial's Mily Kannarkat won the state girls singles championship as a freshman, and life hasn't been the same since.
``It seems like everything started taking off after that,'' Kannarkat said. ``I started getting awards. People would stop and congratulate me. It's been pretty cool.''
Kannarkat, 14, gained a sponsor in January and played in two national age-group championships this summer.
Wilson Sporting Goods provided Kannarkat with five rackets, strings, a racket bag and a traveling bag. The traveling bag came in handy when she flew to San Diego for the National Hardcourt 16s.
Kannarkat lost in the first round, but won her only consolation match in a third-set tiebreaker.
Earlier in the summer she won two matches in the main draw of the National Clay Court 16s in Virginia Beach.
``The competition was tough,'' Kannarkat said of her dip into the national pool. ``But it was good experience.''
Kannarkat won't face that level of competition playing for First Colonial. She proved that last year by going 26-0.
But that doesn't mean there is no challenge left or nothing to be gained.
``The high school season gives me a chance to practice all of my shots and gain confidence in the ones I might not normally use,'' she said. ``Plus there are a couple of people who want revenge. I still to have to play well.''
All four semifinalists in the Beach District tournament are back, including Tallwood's Leslie Beach. She was runner-up to Kannarkat in the district and region tournaments and one of only two players to take a set from her.
No player is unbeatable, but Kannarkat won't lose because she is outworked.
She does something to improve every day, even if it's just running or jumping rope for conditioning.
John Atiso, Kannarkat's private coach, also worked with Julie Shif-lett, a two-time state champion who spent a brief stint on the pro tour.
``Julie had a lot more experience, especially national experience, at this stage,'' Atiso said. ``But the one thing Julie and Mily have in common - that all good players have in common - is a strong work ethic.''
Kannarkat has added a hard, flat serve to go with her already formidable kick serve, added power to her ground strokes and improved her net game since last year.
About the only thing that has stayed the same is her size. She's still 5-foot-1 and 110 pounds.
Kannarkat hits with Atiso twice a week at the Virginia Beach Tennis and Country Club, and when the lessons are over it's her job to pick up the balls. We're not taking about a can of three, but a grocery cart full.
``This is fun,'' Kannarkat said cheerily after a grueling session under the relentless August sun. ``It's work, too. But if you don't have fun, you shouldn't play.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
D. KEVIN ELLIOTT/Staff
by CNB