Canyon Lake tennis team 13th at Nationals

BY Dawn Rankins

The Canyon Lake Women’s Tennis Team competed for the first time in its history in the United States Tennis Association Nationals Tournament recently in Arizona and finished in 13th place.

This was not only the team’s first time at Nationals but, it’s the first time a team from Riverside County was represented at the 3.0 USTA team finals.

Led by team captain Andrea Bohn, Canyon Lake ended up finishing 13th overall in the country. The team qualified for the Nationals in Surprise, Arizona after winning sectionals during the spring and summer season.

Julie Frakes battled it out on Friday in the Southern California vs. New England Region, playing singles and went to a 3rd set tie breaker where the win couldn’t be pulled off.

Andrea Bohn and Meredith Kielty won their 3rd set tie breaker match and Erin Furlong and Sheila Walkington pulled off a win in their match in just two sets.

Wendy Willian and Tina Masalach barely lost their 3rd set tie breaker, however, since the team won more lines over New England, they won the match.

In the Canyon Lake vs. Pacific Northwest Region (Seattle Area), Wendy Williams was defeated in the singles match, Elizabeth Cardoza and Danette Conlin lost their doubles match, but Sue Muscarella and Lori Borresen pulled off a win in their doubles match. Andra Bohn and Meredith Kielty played doubles and won one line and had to retire from the match due to injuries.

Saturday’s matches were tough for the team, too. In Canyon Lake’s battle with Northern region, (Minnesota area), Canyon Lake lost due to the point system.

Wendy Williams played singles and lost. Sheila Walkinton and Erin Furlong played doubles and won their 3rd tie breaker. Sue Muscarella and Lori Borresen won two sets in their doubles match, while Elizabeth Cardoza and Julie Frakes played two sets and lost.

Canyon Lake vs. Southwest Region (El Paso Texas area) had Julie Frakes losing to a tough opponent, Danette Colin and Erin Furlong won their two sets and Sheila Walkington and Tina Maslach lost in the 3rd set tie breaker.

Andrea Bohn, Meredith Kielty and Wendy Williams all won Good Sportsmanship awards.