Beach Tennis Shocker in Santa Barbara
Beach Tennis USA® wrapped up the penultimate stop of its SoCal Points Series this weekend in Santa Barbara, California. The Santa Barbara Blast produced some exciting beach tennis action and showcased a wealth of local talent, as both veterans and newcomers to the hybrid sport competed in the daylong event.
The Men’s Pro division featured a major upset, as SoCal Points Series leaders, Ken Kuperstein and Mike Fedderly (both of Palm Desert, CA), were defeated by Derek Bauer (Marina del Ray, CA) and Phillipe Rodrigue (Studio City, CA) 8-4. Both Bauer and Rodrigue had competed separately in prior tour events, but have now teamed up to become a major force on Beach Tennis USA’s 2007 National Tour.
In the Women’s Pro division, the sister team of Laura and Lisa Maloney (San Diego, CA), having lost at the Santa Monica Madness in June, were determined to come out on top. The sisters faced beach tennis newcomers Page Bartlet and Amelia Escalante, winning 8-5, and guaranteeing them a spot in the 2007 National Beach Tennis Championships in Long Beach, NY.
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