THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 27, 1996 TAG: 9606260094
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 56 lines
DESPITE 90-DEGREE HEAT last week, the Virginia State 12 and Under championships were a breeze for Melissa Holland and Nate Grover.
Holland, of Windsor, and Grover, of Suffolk, won singles titles and played on championship doubles teams in the three-day tournament, which ended Wednesday.
For Holland, a 12-year-old rising seventh-grader at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, it was the second straight year she won a pair of state titles. It was the first singles crown for Grover and his second doubles championship.
``I just wanted to do my best and play hard and tough,'' said Holland, who is ranked No. 7 in the Mid-Atlantic region. ``Since I was the No. 1 seed, it was a load off my shoulders (to win). I just wanted to play as good as I did last year.''
Holland trailed 0-3 in the first set of her girls singles final before regrouping for a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Poquoson's Megan Hunter.
``I said, `I didn't want to lose this first set,' '' said Holland, who did not drop a set in the tournament. ``I sort of knew I could come back if I just made sure I got it over the net and hit the angles. I wouldn't let losing in the first set bother me because when I get down on myself I don't win.''
Holland teamed with Hunter to win the doubles final 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 over Jill Baulmer (Newport News) and Brooke Lambert (Suffolk).
Grover, who finished second in last year's tournament and is ranked No. 6 in the Mid-Atlantic region, barely broke a sweat in his march to a singles title. The No. 1 seed lost just four games in his three matches and scored 6-0, 6-0 victories in the semifinals and championship.
``Just keep it in the court,'' said Grover when asked his strategy. ``I keep the ball in play and keep hitting angles. I didn't hit it right in the middle of the court.''
Grover and Walter Basten defeated Andrew and Michael Downing of Virginia Beach 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in the doubles final.
The tournament was the last for Grover and Holland in the 12s. They'll move up to 14s next year.
``It'll probably be harder,'' said Grover. ``I'll have to try harder next year.'' MEMO: FINAL TOURNAMENT RESULTS/ 18 ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
ABOVE: ``Since I was the No. 1 seed, it was a load off my shoulders
(to win),'' said Melissa Holland, who is ranked No. 7 in the
Mid-Atlantic region. ``I just wanted to play as good as I did last
year.''
RIGHT: ``Just keep it in the court,'' said Nate Grover of his
strategy. ``I keep the ball in play and keep hitting angles. I
didn't hit it right in the middle of the court.'' Grover is ranked
No. 6 in the Mid-Atlantic Region. by CNB