SECTIONAL TENNIS Playing at different sites no problem for Kim Ezzo

The Ursuline junior adapted well and won her third straight title.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LIBERTY -- After winning her first two sectional tournament matches on Monday at Boardman High School, Ursuline junior Kim Ezzo had to wait an extra day to play her quarterfinal match, then woke up on Saturday morning to a drizzly, dreary day that forced her semifinal match indoors at the Boardman Tennis Center.
Then, after winning her semifinal match, she had to hop in a car and travel to the Liberty Racquet Club for the final.
"Oh jeez, it was a little crazy," she said.
Crazy? Yes. Detrimental? No.
Ezzo cruised to her third straight Division II sectional title, defeating second-seeded Mariah Mostardi of Ravenna 6-1, 6-1 to earn a top seed for next week's district tournament on Tuesday in Canton.
"I'm very happy with how I played," Ezzo said. "I love matches like these."
After winning two district matches her freshman year, Ezzo was eliminated in the first round of the district tournament last season and spent the off-season traveling the world, working on her tennis. This summer, she played tournaments in St. Louis and Coventry, England, gaining experience (and confidence) against top competition.
"I definitely feel like I've improved a lot," she said.
The London terrorist bombings occurred on Ezzo's second day in England, but she never felt threatened. Tournament officials didn't even tell her about it -- she learned about it from her parents.
After an experience like that, there's no way she'll be worried about the district tournament -- especially since she knows what to expect.
"I want to win at least one match at districts, but my main goal is to make it to states," she said.
Other results
In the other singles match, Poland's Alyssa Tom earned the third seed in the district tournament with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Brookfield's April Scudere. Tom will be surrounded by familiar faces in Canton -- Poland's two doubles teams finished 1-2.
Samantha Gett and Jessica Mullis beat teammates Megan Bennett and Alexa Marino, who entered the sectional with the top seed. JFK's Hilary Rossi and Alison Rossi placed third, defeating Mooney's Mara Palombaro and Alison St. George in the consolation match.
Division I
CANTON -- Canfield's top doubles team of Rachel McGowan and Renee Lesnett rallied from a set down to defeat Massillon Jackson's Megan Stoll and Loni Dickerhoof 5-7, 6-4, 6-0 in the Division I sectional.
McGowan and Lesnett won the state doubles title last season.
The Cardinals' second doubles team of Jillian Nard and Lauren Sulick placed third to earn a district berth and teammate Christina Brant placed fourth in singles competition to earn the final qualifying spot.
In the Div. I sectional at Solon Community Park, Howland's Stephanie Gula placed third to earn a district berth. Gula's only loss was to Hudson's Courtney Giomarac, who won the sectional title.