USTA Southern crowned 18 champions at the 2018 18 & Over, 40 & Over Combo Doubles Southern Sectional Championships, played March 15-18, 2019, in Mobile, AL.
Teams from Tennessee combined for four champions and four finalists. Leading the way were spouses Jay Huffman and Lisa Huffman who each captained a team to sectional glory. Jay’s team defeated Georgia’s “B” team in the Men’s 18 & Over 5.5 level and Lisa’s squad knocked off South Carolina in the 18 & Over Women’s 5.5 level. Both winning teams play out of Tyson Park in Knoxville.
South Carolina scored three champions and two finalists while Mississippi had two victors and three finalists. North Little Rock, AR, had two champions. New Orleans and Pelham, AL, finished with a victor and a finalist.
The weekend event featured 148 men’s and women’s teams with more than 1,400 players from nine states competing in 18 levels – 10 for women and eight for men. The Copeland-Cox Mobile Tennis Center served as tournament headquarters. Other matches were played at Cottage Hill Park/Medal of Honor Park.
Southern Combo 55 & Over Southern Sectional Championships were played February 15-17, 2019 in Auburn and Opelika, AL. Later this year, the 2019 Combo Doubles Southern Sectional Championships will be played in the same calendar year as local matches. Dates are Dec. 6-9. Location has not been announced.
Team photos of champions and finalists.
Champions and finalists were:
| Level | Champion Hometown - Captain/s | Finalist Hometown – Captain/s | Score in final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 5.5 | North Little Rock, AR James Howell | Southaven, MS Chad Tow | 2-1 |
| Men's 6.5 | Knoxville, TN Jay Huffman | Rome, GA (B) Nishad Pandya | 2-1 |
| Men's 7.5 | Columbia, SC David Edwards | New Orleans, LA Robert Bostanian/ Robbie Dauterive | 2-1 |
| Men's 8.5 | Jackson, MS Paul Kimble | Round-robin | |
| Men's 9.5 | Simpsonville, SC Raj Pandya | Round-robin | |
| Women's 2.5 | North Little Rock, AR Shannon McNeely | Round-robin | |
| Women's 5.5 | Knoxville, TN Lisa Huffman | Greenville, SC Amanda Arscott | 2-1 |
| Women's 6.5 | Oxford, MS (A) Morgan Winkel | Cordova, TN Jennifer Goodnight | 2-1 |
| Women's 7.5 | Chattanooga, TN (B) Kim Riley | Oxford, MS Marta Panickar | 2-1 |
| Women's 8.5 | New Orleans, LA Katherine McComiskey/ Leanne Johnson | Nashville, TN Natalie Cuicchi/ Lindsey Vaughan | 2-1 |
| Women's 9.5 | Birmingham, AL Frankie Gilliam | Round-robin |
| 40 & Over Level | Champion Hometown - Captain/s | Finalist Hometown – Captain/s | Score in final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 6.5 | Raleigh, NC Allen Oliver/ Chris Evans | Rock Hill, SC Troy Young | 3-0 |
| Men's 7.5 | Memphis, TN Jeffrey Lee | Huntersville, NC Mark Robson | 3-0 |
| Men's 8.5 | Auburn, AL (A) Kevin Fichtner/ John Crenshaw | Chattanooga, TN Brian Profitt | 2-1 |
| Women's 5.5 | Daniel Island, SC Elyssa Snelgrove | Round-robin | |
| Women's 6.5 | Pelham, AL Julie Anderson/ Kimberly Pruitt | Brentwood, TN (A) Laura Hughes/ Suzy Simpson | 2-1 |
| Women's 7.5 | Louisville, KY Kristina Jordan | Hattiesburg, MS (B) Melanie FInk | 2-1 |
| Women's 8.5 | Wilmington, NC (A) Veronica Canihan | Pelham, AL Kandy Shirley/ Julie Duck | 3-0 |