THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 14, 1995 TAG: 9510140443
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Indian River's Helena Carvalho dominated the Southeastern District singles final on Friday, posting a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Western Branch's Erica Villaros.
In the afternoon, she joined Erin Irelan to win the doubles title, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), over Great Bridge's Kim Burnop and Beth Hartley.
Carvalho, an exchange student from Brazil, was undefeated in the regular season. Against Villaros, she utilized her powerful serve and unique forehand to command the match. Carvalho unleashed a wider arsenal of shots in her doubles match, slamming unreturnable shots from the net.
Indian River coach C.J. Cornell said she had learned more than Carvalho this season. Carvalho mainly speaks Portuguese. When she was tense in a match, Cornell lightened the mood by attempting to encourage Carvalho in her native language.
Although Carvalho said she felt fine entering the singles match, Cornell disputed the claim.
``I asked her this morning if she was ready,'' Cornell said. ``She said, `No.' Erin's (Irelan) mother brought her over and told her it was her day.''
Carvalho's nerves were not evident in her play. She and Irelan went up 4-1 in the second set before Burnop and Hartley fought back.
Great Bridge had won four consecutive singles titles and had never been swept in the district championship. The Wildcats won the regular-season title and Indian River finished as runner-up. Both advance to the Eastern Region tournament next week. ILLUSTRATION: Indian River's Helena Carvalho, with a powerful serve and unique
forehand, dominated the Southeastern District singles final against
Western Branch's Erica Villaros. The exhange student from Brazil hit
with equal force and success in her doubles match, slamming
unreturnable shots from the net.
L. TODD SPENCER
by CNB