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Raiders Invited To Nationals

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By DAREK SHARP

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 3, 2008

PLANT CITY - Nearly 90 teams came from around the state, but only four left with a trip out of Florida in their future travel plans.

The Plant City Tennis Center Raiders were one of them.

At the 27th annual U.S. Tennis Association Florida Junior Team Tennis Summer Section Tournament, Plant City won an invitation to the national tournament in Mobile, Ala.

The Raiders train at the Plant City Tennis Center under director Shane Johnson. The team is made up of Arielle Rollyson, Jessica Barnes, Valeishia Kendrick, Stephan Creary, Kyle Madill and Dustin Hinson.

Plant City, which played for the 18 Intermediate Championship, defeated the Pembroke Lakes Top Guns in the finals match. Last year at the sectional tourney, the Top Guns defeated Plant City in the finals.

In all, 88 teams, encompassing 700 players from around the state, took part in the section tournament, hosted by the Polk County Tennis Association at four different sites in Lakeland. Matches were held Aug. 1 to 3. Teams competed in levels ranging from beginner to advanced and in different divisions, for players ages 10 to 18.

Winners and finalists at the intermediate and advanced levels received trophies, but the big prizes were the four invites to nationals.

The national tournament will take place in October.

Reporter Darek Sharp can be reached at dsharp@tampatrib.com.

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