Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 25, 1990 TAG: 9005250301
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
McNeely rallied twice to defeat Salem's Doris Ballak 7-6 (6-4), 6-4 in the final. The Spartans' junior, an exchange student from Rheinfelden, Switzerland, had leads of 4-1 in the first set and 3-0 in the second before losing both.
"I seem to play better when I'm losing," said McNeely, who reached the tournament in singles as freshman and last year and in doubles as a sophomore. "For sure I wait until I get down, then I dig in."
McNeely had all sorts of trouble getting her volleys to work. When McNeely did get her net play untracked, her groundstrokes were too much for Ballak to handle.
"I thought in the second set I could win and I might have taken it easy," said Ballak. "She had a very nice backhand."
McNeely also was so quick covering the baseline that Ballak couldn't hit a shot past her.
McNeely's early troubles came with easy shots: She kept hitting into the net.
"I was more tense at the beginning," McNeely said. "This ends all the frustration."
Salem coach Marsha Grey said of Ballak's loss: "I think it was unfortunate that all year Doris hasn't had the tough opposition to play. Yesterday [Wednesday] she played four matches [in singles, doubles and team competition] to one for McNeely. Any edge you get at this level helps."
Ballak and Kristi Garren finished third in the individual doubles, winning the consolation final 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 over Chesley Jackson and Pam Bobbitt of Virginia High.
\ BOYS' TENNIS: At Poquoson, Salem's boys fell short as James Monroe took the Group AA team crown 7-2. It was the Spartans' first loss in 18 matches.
Salem's Tommy McDonald and Justin Barham beat Tabb's Stefan Susta and Scott Rogers 6-2, 6-2 for the Group AA doubles crown. It was the first state tennis title - boys' or girls' - for Salem.
McDonald, second in Group AA singles a year ago, also beat Marion's Doug Grubb 6-0, 6-3 in the singles consolation title.
At Riner, Glenvar lost four tough, three-set singles matches and was beaten by George Mason 6-3 in the Group A final.
David Tingler and David Hammel gave the Highlanders their only singles victories, and Hammel teamed with Kim Varney to win at third doubles.
\ SOFTBALL: It took nine innings, but when the scoring was done Lord Botetourt was the Region III Tournament champion with an 11-9 victory over Salem.
Both teams advance to the state tournament next week. Lord Botetourt reached Thursday's final with an 11-4 victory over Laurel Park, and Salem beat Brookville 8-3.
In the championship game, the Cavaliers scored twice with two out in the top of the ninth to take an 11-9 lead that eventually held, but not without a scare from the Spartans.
Rachel Lytton singled for Salem, and with two out, Debbie Cobb walked. Both advanced on a wild pitch, then Laura Hyler hit a long fly that was caught by the right fielder.
On Wednesday at Floyd, Stephanie Martin and Nikki Hall combined on a no-hitter as Glenvar defeated Castlewood 14-0 and advanced to the final of the Group A Region C Tournament at Floyd.
Glenvar plays Parry McCluer (15-2) today.
by CNB