THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 23, 1996 TAG: 9610230421
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 50 lines
First Colonial's Mily Kannarkat conducted business as usual Tuesday, sweeping singles and doubles titles for the third straight year at the Eastern Region girls tennis tournament at Owl Creek Municipal Tennis Center.
The Patriots junior began by topping Hickory freshman Jessica Strickler, 6-0, 6-2, to become the first player to win three straight regional singles titles since her coach, Laurie Shiflet (1983-85).
The two games won by Strickler, who lost for the first time in 15 matches, matched the most Kannarkat has surrendered this season. Kannarkat has lost only eight games in her 13 matches this season, and is 57-1 over the past three years.
The lone defeat, during last year's Group AAA state tournament, came while Kannarkat was battling a shoulder injury which forced her to serve underhanded. Post-season surgery sidelined her for three months, but Kannarkat quickly regained top form.
``My serve is more of a weapon now,'' she said. ``I can start a point knowing my opponent can't just attack. This gives me a little more confidence.''
Kannarkat also teamed with an inspired Becky Schmidt Tuesday and the duo avenged their only defeat this season by downing Cox' Ashby Moran and Adrienne Byrne, 6-1, 6-1, to win the regional doubles title.
``(Becky) was the difference today,'' said Kannarkat, who won the last two years with Anne Crenshaw.
The Falcons pair, unbeaten through 12 matches coming in, had beaten Kannarkat and Schmidt in the Beach District final.
``Now we're even,'' Bryne said. ``We're looking forward to seeing them in the state tournament.''
All finalists will advance to the Group AAA state tournament Nov. 8-9 at Jefferson Park in Falls Church. Kannarkat will open against Central Region runner-up Jennie Ward of Mills Godwin, while Strickler faces 1995 state champion Briget Bruner of Douglas Freeman.
In the state doubles tournament, Kannarkat and Schmidt will play Central Region runners-up Amy Fowler and Sunlen Miller of Clover Hill. Moran and Byrne will face Central champions Kristen Lanio and Katie Mason, also of Clover Hill. ILLUSTRATION: L. TODD SPENCER
Mily Kannarkat is 57-1 in singles the past 3 years, losing at the
'95 states with a bad shoulder. by CNB