With Court 1 open due to Sean's early retirement, the singles match of Andre Iriarte (seeded third) and Brendon Lynch (seeded 6th) drew interest of the accumulating fans.  Play moved at a fairly rapid pace, until Iriarte started cramping in his quadriceps. 

After winning the first set 6-4, he appeared to have difficulty moving.   Again, it seemed like Court 1 was wreaking havoc on players.  But just as a fan would sigh, "Oh, he's done" - Iriarte (photo right)  would smash another winner and prepare to play another point.

His mind was willing, but Iriarte wasn't able to overcome his body's limitations, and he lost the next two sets to his doubles partner 1 & 2.

With their berth in the doubles final guaranteed, Iriarte had at least some cause for celebration.  "It's disappointing to get to the finals that way, but we're both exhausted."

"They [the Steinours] would have had the edge," agreed Lynch.  

A 6'3" senior in International Affairs at UVA, Ted Angelinos was born in Athens, Greece.  He transferred to Tulane University to play tennis since there was no college tennis program at his Greek university. 

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Tulane's tennis program's funding was cut.  Picked up by UVA, he has played #3 doubles and #6 singles on a team that reached the semifinals of the NCAA tournament - the first time that an ACC school has ever done so.   

On Saturday morning, Angelinos was defeated 7-6, 6-1 by Oren Motevassel.  After taking the first set to a tiebreaker, Angelinos "lost focus" and was unable to match his previous level of play in the second.  The soft-spoken Greek said he misses his home country.  "I miss the lifestyle....  The food, my family, the culture."

Whenever a court would empty, Einwick would look up expectantly.  Hopefully.  He was not too hot on the idea that his match might be played in front of a happy crowd of 200 people on Court 1.

"We're going to get clobbered," he optimistically predicted. (Note, he might have said pummeled, not sure).

The court assignment was indeed the show court. But our locals (the #4 seeds) did themselves proud.  Einwick (Westwood Club) and Mumford (CCV) finished at 3 & 4, which is the highest score anybody got against the #1 seeds.

On Court 2, Kate Harrington and Lindsey Howard battled Alison Ojeda and Melissa Schaub for a spot in the Women's doubles final.  Ojeda, who took home $2,800 in prize money at this tournament last year had predicted the match would be challenging.

"Kate made the team at VA Tech and chose not to play so she is a good player.  Lindsey plays for the University of Michigan, which is a good program.  They are two college level players, so we knew they were going to be tough."

The pair met before they got to Godwin, and grew up traveling to tournaments.  Kate's mom,  Kim, is a 4.5 player at Hermitage.  She takes credit for teaching Kate those awesome volleys.  "She used to play with all the women on my 4.5 team back when she was really young," recalled Kim.  "I remember when she beat me for the first time, when she was 12...she was pretty happy about it."

Howard and Harrington lost to the MTSU Women's Head and Assistant Coaches.  It was a great showing.

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On the lower courts on Friday night, Rachel Gale, who has won multiple titles here in the past, and current tour player Chrissie Seredni played the team of  Nataly Fleishman and Petra Rampre.  

Gale and Fleishman certainly know each other's games by now, as opponents and partners.  Together they won the SunTrust VA State Hardcourt Championship in Doubles at Raintree a couple of years ago.   They have played each other in singles many times.  Rampre and Seredni are within 100 points of each other in world rankings, and have run into each other at tournaments all over the world.  

Gale, who participated in only women's doubles this year, used her time on the court to keep the growing gallery entertained.  Certainly the match was for money at the end, but Rachel was all smiles during it.  Even when she and Seredni came out with a 7-6, 6-3 loss.  "I had a blast," she said as she came off the court.  "It was so much fun."

Having been home schooled all her life, she missed out on a few things.  Friday night football games. Prom.  But Seredni said she absolutely has no regrets.

"I've met so many people on tour, all over the world.  We see each other when there's an event and it's crazy.  I love it."

Chrissie turned pro when she was 16.  Her first year earnings didn't set the bank afire but she did make it to the quarters of some satellite tournaments.  Which brings up the one caveat she would offer other aspiring players who might want to follow in her footsteps.

"It's great but it can be expensive.  If you can afford it, and you are willing to work hard, go for it."

She's hoping to find a sponsor to help, and working hard to make it into a top 150 ranking where the money is more consistent.  It may happen, it may not.  If not,   "There are a million options."

Don't Miss the Finals   

by Sara James