THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 22, 1996 TAG: 9610220453
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 40 lines
Finally, finally, finally the Eastern District tennis title belongs to Granby's Elaine McCall. She wanted it as a sophomore; she wanted it as a junior; but last week she earned it as a senior, defeating the defending champion from Maury, Jennifer Warren 6-2, 6-2 in the championship match.
You'd think after all that time, McCall would be gushing just a tad. But the blond baseliner is as laid back as the Bob Dylan music she adores. ``I'm dumbstruck, really,'' she said. ``And surprise is so much better. Because when you're ready for it and you get let down, it's so much worse.''
McCall's title is no surprise to coach Bill Lloyd, who has watched his No. 1 singles player pound her way to a 16-0 record this season. ``She plays smart,'' he said. ``Instead of trying to power everything, she thinks about her shots.''
Two years ago, McCall made the district final before falling to Booker T. Washington's Donna Self. As a junior, she said she ``dropped off the face of the earth'' as the team's No. 2 player, losing in the first round of districts.
But she's steadier this year, ``more in tune with myself,'' she explained, not as prone to tantrums that have been known to be hard on her rackets. A 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 win over Warren, a player who intimidated her in the past, in the final match of the regular season should have boosted her confidence, only with McCall you never know.
``I figured to beat somebody twice, the odds were against me,'' she said.
Maybe in Las Vegas, but not in Norfolk. McCall, who beat Warren for the second time in five days, says, ``My game is just getting the ball over.''
Add desire. McCall, also the Comets' No. 1 pitcher during softball season, admits her sheer will keeps her fighting when others might quit.
``Out of all the sports every season, I never see a girl who can match my competitiveness,'' she says. ``Sometimes I think I'm the only one getting mad out there.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by CNB