Showers don't harm tennis

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
June 30, 2003
Two hours before an evening shower swept through the Queen City, the volunteers working the State Games of Mississippi youth and adult tennis competition at the Northeast Tennis Complex wrapped up the three-day tournament.
It was fitting timing for the event that wasn't able to hold its final day of competition last year because of inclement weather.
The evening rain after the three days of tennis concluded also framed the weekend tourney, that drew 83 youth singles players and 16 youth double teams and seven adult singles players and 16 adult doubles teams, which began under heavy rains Friday morning.
Mark Naylor won the gold medal in the men's 4.0 singles competition defeating Matthew McElhaney 6-2, 6-3.
Lee Mayo won the bronze over Mike McKelvane scoring a 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 win.
In the men's 4.0 doubles bracket, Thad George and Benson Holland won the gold medal 6-4, 6-4 over Naylor and Brad Dearman.
Mayo and Stephen Covington teamed up to take the bronze medal over Aaron Hall and McElhaney scoring a 7-5, 6-1 victory.
Evalin Daniel and Kristi Watkins took the gold medal in the women's 3.0 doubles bracket, which was played in a round-robin format.
Beverly Ray and Mary Ann Varela won the silver, and Lisa Floyd and Toni Jackson walked away with the bronze.
In mixed 6.5 doubles play, Darrly and Toni Jackson grabbed the gold medal in the bracket that was also played in a round-robin format.
Eddie Fulton and Beverly Ray won the silver, and Chad Bond and Leigh Jackson took the bronze.
The adult field was thin compared to the youth portion of the event, but McPhail said that has been a trend in the state, thanks to other venues older tennis players have to compete in.