By Noreen Javadi, special to USTA.com
RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF. – It was a memorable weekend for the Florida section women’s team and the Hawaii-Pacific section men’s team as they overcame challenging fields to win the USTA League Adult 40 & Over 3.5 National Championships at the Rancho Las Palmas Country Club.
The Hawaii men’s team, based at the Central Oahu Regional Park in Waipahu, Oahu, began the day with a hard-fought 3-2 semifinal victory over the Intermountain section team from Orem, Utah.
Later in the day, the Hawaii men faced off in the 3.5 championship match against the Pacific Northwest section team from Seattle, which had advanced to the final with a 3-2 win over the Southern section team from Lake Charles, La. In a thrilling performance, the Hawaii team defeated the Pacific Northwest Section, 3-2, to capture the title.
“It was incredible, the rollercoaster of it all. These guys worked so hard. I’m so happy for them and so proud of them,” said an emotional Hawaii team captain Dean Yamashiro. “Coming to Nationals is incredible.”
In the women’s title match, the Florida section team, which plays at the Eagle Landing in Orange Park, Fla., triumphed over the Southwest section team from Surprise, Ariz., 4-1.
“It feels awesome. These kids are the best!” said Florida team captain Sharel Grissett-Macon. “I have a bunch of beautiful ladies and we stuck together and we won as a team. I’m so proud of them!”
Earlier in the day, the Florida section team won its semifinal over the Midwest section women from Indianapolis, 3-2. The Southwest section women’s team advanced to the final after scoring a semifinal victory over the Southern section team from Brentwood, Tenn., 3-2.