Junior tennis returns to clay

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January 22, 2010

By ROCKY STANLEY — The Independent The Daily Independent Fri Jan 22, 2010, 12:06 AM EST

BELLEFONTE — The Bellefonte Country Club Indoor Clay Championships are back for year two.

Tonight, the junior tennis tournament kicks off its first of back-to-back weekends.

First age divisions to hit the court will be the 12s and 16s. Next week, it’s the 10s, 14s and 18s. Championship matches are set for both Sundays.

“We’re excited to have it,’’ said tournament director Todd Wise, who owns and operates the three-court tennis bubble at BCC. “I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of great tennis.’’

Admission is free to the public and Wise said spectators are welcome.

“I think one thing people don’t realize is how good these kids are,’’ Wise said. “If people are interested in tennis, you have the Australian Open going on now, and people have a chance to come out and watch local kids. You might see the next Julie Ditty.’’

Ditty grew up next door to Bellefonte Country Club and went on to become a Top 100 player in the world.

The clay-court tournament’s first weekend has 27 entries — up slightly from a year ago.

Tanner Queen of Louisa and Kennedy Womack of Ashland will be trying to repeat as champions in the 16-under division. Both are seeded No. 1 in seven-player draws.

Queen defeated younger David Bush of Ashland in last year’s Boys 16s final. Bush is in the bottom half of the bracket with second-seeded Robert Skolik of Huntington.

“Every match in the Boys 16s will be tough,’’ Wise said.

On the girls’ side, Womack and Ashland’s Kelsey Hensley are seeded 1-2. Last year, Womack defeated Hensley 6-1, 6-2 for the title.

Girls 12s has nine players, led by top-seeded Micah Leslie of South Shore and No. 2 Katie Baldock of Ashland. Baldock won the 10-under division a year ago. The 12s draw includes three players from West Virginia.

The Boys 12s will be a four-player round robin. Last year, Ashland’s Robby Krick won both of his 10-under matches in the tournament without dropping a game.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.

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