TENNIS Top seed Ezzo has district mission

The four Division II singles sectional seeds have advanced.
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YOUNGSTOWN -- Kim Ezzo's sectional title wasn't a surprise, but the Ursuline High freshman is still a little surprising.
"I think the people who watched were surprised I did so well because I'm just a freshman," Ezzo said. "But I had a feeling I would do pretty well. I think I was pretty prepared."
Mentally, or physically?
"Both," she said.
Ezzo, the tournament's top seed, rallied to defeat Liberty senior Ashley Hoff 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 in last week's Division II sectional tournament at Boardman.
The other three seeded players -- Hoff, Poland's Erin Bennett and Struthers' Emily Berry -- were all seniors, and all four advanced to Thursday's district tournament at North Park Tennis Courts in Massillon.
"I just want to get through this one step at a time," Ezzo said. "If I do well at the district and get to state, I'll be more than happy. But I'm just thinking about the district tournament right now."
Ezzo plays in United States Tennis Association tournaments year-round and said that experience helped prepare her for high school competition. Two years ago, she started working with coach Don Getz, who has helped her polish her game.
"I've definitely improved a lot," she said. "More than I ever thought I would."
Moving on
Ursuline's doubles team of Lisa Fedina and Ana Lungu also qualified for the district tournament, finishing fourth at the sectional.
Mooney's top doubles team of Britini and Becca Brocker -- which were runners-up last year -- won the sectional, defeating Poland's Liz Rothenberg and Samantha Gett.
Hoff has qualified for the district tournament all four years of her high school career -- once in doubles and three times in singles.
Bennett advanced to last year's state doubles tournament with senior teammate Stephanie Kobuch, losing in the first round to Worthington Christian.
In Division I, Canfield standouts Renee Lesnett and Rachel McGowan both advanced to Thursday's district tournament at Tri-City Park in Rocky River.
Lesnett advanced to the state tournament as a freshman last season, losing to Upper Arlington senior Allie Ray in the first round.
Boardman's top doubles team of Kristen McNally and Tiffany Kreps also advanced.