THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 21, 1996 TAG: 9605210457
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
Cox found itself having to deal with two opponents in the Eastern Region boys tennis final. But once the Falcons beat the heat, Tallwood fell right in line.
The Falcons outlasted the Lions, 5-1, to capture their fourth regional crown since 1989 Monday at sweltering Owl Creek Municipal Tennis Center.
Cox (12-0) will host Central Region runner-up Douglas Freeman in the first round of the eight-team Group AAA state tournament on May 28. The Lions (11-4) must visit Central Region winner Mills Godwin, the defending state champion which hasn't lost a match in two years.
The Falcons, who pounded the Lions, 8-1, during the regular season, had been virtually conceded this title ever since blue-chip transfers Ryan Davidson and Nathan Shanks enrolled last fall. But the Beach District champs didn't count on contesting the final in high heat and stifling humidity that taxed the conditioning of some while simply mesmerizing others.
``I returned serve on the first point, and the next point I thought I was supposed to be serving,'' Cox No. 4 Latane Meade said. ``The heat had me confused out there.''
Davidson and No. 3 Bobby Kalantar fought off leg cramps to win their singles matches, and No. 2 Shanks prevailed in straight sets despite a shoulder injury that forced him to serve underhanded. But a victory by Tallwood No. 6 Ed Adamos and third-set opportunities at Nos. 4 and 5 had the Lions thinking upset. by CNB