Top Seed McVitty Upset in Girls Spring Nationals Third Round

Top Seed McVitty Upset in Girls Spring Nationals Third Round ~~~
©Colette Lewis 2006
Mobile--

Kristy McVitty came to Mobile hoping for her second straight national singles title but unseeded Claire Bartlett of Chattanooga Tennessee ended that dream with a 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (5) victory over the top seed and Winter Nationals champion.

The rain and humidity of Monday gave way to cooler temperatures and clear blue skies, but blustery winds made lobs and service tosses an adventure all day, a factor McVitty mentioned after her loss.

"I didn't adjust to the wind very well today," said McVitty, who will be attending Virginia in the fall. "Some of my shots were falling at the service line, and I couldn't seem to put a ball away. I didn't play well at the crucial times."

Bartlett put McVitty on notice early, taking a 2-0 lead in the first set and a 3-0 lead in the second. But it was McVitty who started confidently in the third, holding a 3-0 lead and all the momentum. This was the spot where nerves might be expected to show, but Bartlett simply kept playing her backhand slice to set up her forehand.

"I had to stay really patient with my strategy," said the high school sophomore. "The wind made it hard, but I wanted to mix it up so she wouldn't get a rhythm."

Bartlett was able to match the much smaller McVitty's court coverage, and showed no sign of nerves once the final tiebreak began.

"I was really excited, actually," Bartlett said. "It had been such a long match, and mentally it helped me to know it was just a few more points to win it."

McVitty took a 4-2 tiebreak lead, but lost three consecutive points and at 5-5 Barlett came up with a lob winner to give her match point, and when the top seed sliced a backhand into the net, the sixteen-year-old had the biggest win of her junior career.

McVitty was not the only girls seed sent to the backdraw on Tuesday. Ashley Weinhold, a five seed, lost to Mallory Cecil 2-6, 6-1, 6-0. Nine seeds losing on Tuesday were Shinann Featherstone (to Olivia Janowicz) and Lauren Sabacinski (to Julia Huschke). One player having absolutely no trouble advancing is third seed Melisse Saiontz, who has lost two games in three matches. Second seed Reka Zsilinszka also moved on in straight sets.

The boys had a big upset of their own when unseeded Aaron Carpenter eliminated third seed Jason Morgenstern 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, but there no other surprises in Tuesday's third round.

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