Suffolk News-Herald

Christina Ruffin probably just wanted to cool off.

The Peninsula Catholic student, who finished fourth in her division in the TCIS tennis tournaments this past season, defeating two opponents by a combined 24-4 in 18U singles competition in the Virginia Beach Tennis Patrons Association Satellite #4 tournament Saturday at the Howard Mast Tennis Complex.

&uot;It was VERY hot out there,&uot; Ruffin said after her second match, in which she beat Valerie Acre 6-4, 6-0. &uot;I thought I was going to have some trouble, because I play against her a lot.&uot; She had to come from behind to take the first set.

&uot;I was pretty confident,&uot; she said. &uot;I was excited, because I hadn’t played in a long time.&uot; That showed in the second set, as Ruffin marched through to take the tourney and get back into the shade.

Alison Wingo won the 14U singles competition, and Kelly Maxwell the 16U tourney. At 9 a.m. today, Amy Swallow will face Karling Watson for the 12U match. None of the boys tournament finished Saturday, and the only finals match confirmed at press time was Tyler Searcy against Kevin Costellow in the 10U match. Boys matches also continue at 9 a.m. today.