The eighth annual Lopez Island Tennis Open was held August 22 through 24.
Once again we had players from as far away as California and Arkansas, as well as the San Juan Islands and of course, our very own Lopez Island tennis players.
This year’s Lopez Open saw even more participants than last year, and we expect an even bigger tournament next year, with many new players from surrounding communities already voicing interest in attending. Thank you to all of the local businesses for their sponsorship of this tournament.
This year marks a special anniversary for tennis on Lopez Island. It was 10 years ago that a very dedicated group of tennis enthusiasts and original members of Lopez Island Community Tennis Association dreamed of building first-class tennis courts here on Lopez Island.
These individuals brought to fruition that dream, and we are fortunate to have four fabulous tennis courts as a result of their foresight and determination. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved, from the fund raising and planning, to the establishment of these courts!
This year’s tournament offered a Men’s Singles, Men’s and Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles format.
The competition was fierce with the Men’s Singles finals being a contest between youth and maturity. Colin Miller faced Drew Beckman in a very exciting match that tested both players’ endurance, patience and consistency! Miller used his wits, craftiness, and experience to outplay a much younger Beckman 6-3 in the first set, but Drew rallied in the second set and forced a nail-biting tie-break, which Miller was ultimately able to win with some terrific shot making.
The Men’s Double finals saw San Juan Island’s Josh Lehr and Steve Buchanan of Lopez pitted against opponents Dick Barnes of San Juan Island and Bruce Bartley of Arkansas. The first set went in favor of Buchanan and Lehr 6-3, but the score didn’t reflect just how close the match truly was! Barnes and Bartley rallied in the second set with classic doubles play, chipping and charging the net, and with outstanding rallies, they were able to take the second set to a tie-break. They tenaciously stayed in the match but were unable to force a third set and fell to Buchanan and Lehr 7-6 in the second set.
The Women’s Doubles finals saw a return of last year’s doubles champion Marybeth Morstad of Enumclaw, playing this year with Audrey Wakefield of Lopez against fierce competitors Elaine McDaniel of Lopez and partner Jane Edwards of Diablo, Calif. Morstad and Wakefield displayed deft doubles play to take the first set 6-1. McDaniel and Edwards set out to take the second set using many different tactics to upset Morstad’s and Wakefield’s outstanding net coverage. Using well placed lobs, they were able to push Marybeth and Audrey in the second set, but were unable to prevail, losing 6-4.
The Mixed Doubles final was rained out on the final day of the tournament and was rescheduled for Sunday. Sept. 8.
This final saw returning champions Mark Collingwood and Marybeth Morstad of Enumclaw defending their title against Audrey Wakefield and Steve Buchanan of Lopez. The wind played havoc with the players, but made for spectacular rallies, as each point was cheered by some 20 spectators who had come out to watch the Mixed Doubles final. Steve and Audrey showed great determination and were able to win a decisive tie-break in the first set 7-6(7-0). Marybeth and Mark regrouped for the second set, making adjustments for the wind that allowed them to easily take the set 6-1. With numerous rallies and outstanding points that had the spectators screaming and clapping, the defending champions finally pulled ahead to win the third set 7-5.
What a great day for tennis and what an incredible final to conclude the Lopez Open tennis tournament!
For all of the tournament results, go to our website, LICTA.org. See you in 2009!
Christie Driskell is Vice President of Lopez Island Community Tennis Association.
