Women's Finals December 12, 2006 [men's finals]
12/13/06
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Twenty Seven year old Ana Radeljevic, an accountant from Northern Virginia, defeated Ashlee Vosters 6-4, 6-3 for the Women's Singles Title. Radeljevic was a former #1 player for ODU in Norfolk. She earned her way to the finals with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 semifinal win over top seeded Chrissie Seredni, a Richmonder playing on the pro circuit. |
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In doubles, Richmond's own Julie Kaczmarek and Rachel Gale, claimed the Women's Doubles Title with a win over Vosters and her University of Richmond teammate Pamela Duran 6-4, 7-6(2).
Gale (Westwood Club) and Kaczmarek (CCV) were down 1-4, and 3-5 before coming back to claim the second set and the victory in front of a good crowd. "We were both really pumped up," said Gale. "Even though we were down we knew it was only one break of serve and we could come back."
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from left: Rachel Gale, Julie Kaczmarek, Pam Duran, Ashlee Vosters |
Gale and Kaczmarek have played and won many finals together, but this one is particularly sweet as the two are point leaders in the 2006 $75K Virginia Open Series and will take home bonus money for their successful year on top of the $1,000 prize for this win. Julie is also the top point getter in Mixed Open Doubles as well.
"We played a very solid match together tonight," said Gale. "Getting to the net is key against these strong collegiate players.
"Tonight we used signals - really for the first time - and loved it," said Gale. "Poor Julie finally had to call me off my poaches because I was doing it almost every time.
"Ashlee did a lot of poaching on Pam's serve, while Pam didn't serve and volley. She stayed back, which hurt them, I think."
Gale has won this tournament the past four years. She and partner Natalie Fleishman claimed the titles in 2004 and 2005, and Gale and Kaczmarek won it in 2002 and 2003. Fleishman had her first child this fall and was not entered in either singles or doubles.
Last year, Gale and Fleishman played another University of Richmond team in the semi-finals and were down 1-5 in the 3rd set before coming back to win it 7-5. "With these good college girls, patience is the key," said Gale.
That, and years of experience!
The men's finals are tonight at CCV.