Everything fell into place for Wando

Charleston-area teams owned SCISA tennis this fall, just as Wando's girls ruled the High School League's Class AAAA.

It's really a tribute to local tennis that Ashley Hall, Colleton Prep and Palmetto Christian swept all three SCISA crowns: AAA, AA and A. That's probably a first.

But what more can you say about Wando and coach Becky Williamson, after she led the program to a record-tying sixth consecutive state titles?

A year ago, it appeared that Williamson might retire as the Warriors' coach with only one of the top five players not among the school's 2009 graduates. Even Corin Hallman, obviously not wanting to be alone, announced after last year's state final that she didn't plan to play tennis as a senior.

That would have been a complete wipeout, but then came word that Columbia transplants Clair Larkin and Alexis Prickett would play for the Warriors this fall. And somehow Williamson and Hallman found their way back for another year.

What a difference a year makes. Williamson now isn't planning to go anywhere for a couple more years, and Larkin and Prickett have another year left, while freshman Catherine Martin and seventh-grader Melanie Allen should help keep the Warriors in title contention for several more years.

Ninety-nine victories in succession ... and counting. The streak isn't likely to end in 2010, either.

By returning, Hallman was rewarded with a full scholarship to Erskine, joining the Warriors' list of recipients of college scholarships. Last year, Olivia McMillan signed with Presbyterian and Lindsay Larkin received a Wofford grant. A year earlier, Jessica Diamond signed with Samford and Brooke Mosteller picked Furman.

"I needed another year of teaching ... I've got a daughter in college," said Williamson in explaining her return to coaching this school year. "I've got three years left on the TERI (Teacher and Employee Retention Incentive) program."

Williamson is in her 31st year of teaching, 11th at Wando, where she has coached the girls tennis team each fall.

A 4.0 league tennis player, Williamson much prefers coaching tennis over teaching when she can have as much fun as she has had for the last six falls, especially with this year's team.

Former C of C player acting in 'Good Wife'

Matt Czuchry has been lucky a few times, like the time he won the Mr. College of Charleston contest and was rewarded with a package that included Millie Lewis acting classes. That led to what has now become a successful career in acting, thanks to his current role as a lawyer on the hit CBS television series "The Good Wife."

Of course, Czuchry's recruitment by College of Charleston tennis coach Angelo Anastopoulo fits into the good luck scheme.

Johnson City product Czuchry won the Tennessee high school state singles championship and received a tennis scholarship to C of C, where he was the Cougars' team captain from 1997-99. He compiled a 50-29 record while playing Nos. 2-6 in singles.

Czuchry won the Bishop Robert Smith Award, which is the highest award a C of C undergraduate student can earn, as well was nominated to be a Rhodes Scholar.

"Matt embodied the perfect student athlete," Anastopoulo said. "He was not only a great tennis player but an outstanding student, graduating cum laude."

Pine Forest Ladies hit goal

The Pine Forest Ladies Tennis Association reached its five-year goal with the recent Racquets for Recovery "Taking a Hard Swing at Breast Cancer" tournament by surpassing the $100,000 mark. This year's event raised $23,700 to push the five-year total to $105,700.

Proceeds from the tournament go to the Charleston- area American Cancer Society's "Quality of Life" programs. The tournament is inspired by five active tennis players at Pine Forest who have battled breast cancer, according to association president Shirley Hunter.

Funds were raised by 120 entries as well as a silent auction and other events.

Holiday Classic set at Family Circle

Family Circle Tennis Center's second Holiday Tennis Classic is scheduled for Dec. 4-6. It's a USTA South Carolina Level 4 adult tournament with NTRP-rated competition in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. The entry deadline is Nov. 29 through TennisLink at the USTA.com Web site, using the tournament number (704126709).

One of the highlights of the event will be a silent auction that will benefit children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Trident Area. Toys donated by tournament participants also will benefit B&G Clubs.

The Daniel Island Holiday Festival will be ongoing at Family Circle Tennis Center during the tournament from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. In addition to shopping, live entertainment and a tree lighting will be featured.

Visit familycirclecup.com or call the Family Circle Tennis Center pro shop (849-5300).

Family Circle Cup tickets on sale

It's early, but the Family Circle Cup already has two big names entered, little Melanie Oudin and Maria Sharapova. So, why not put tickets on sale?

That's right. Ticket packages for the April 10-18 Family Circle Cup are now available for purchase through the tournament's Web site (www.familycirclecup.com) or by telephone (800-677-2293 or 856-7900).

Packages are for sale in four categories: Terrace (all sessions), Intro (early week in the middle rows of the Terrace Level), Finale (middle rows of Terrace for Thursday through Sunday sessions) and Champions (Friday through Sunday in Terrace).

Items of interest

--Another Snee Farm Grand Prix will be held Friday-next Sunday, with the entry deadline set for Tuesday. Registration is available at www.sneefarmtennis.com.

--The annual Charleston Thanksgiving Junior Classic is scheduled for Nov. 27-29 at Charleston Tennis Center, with registration at USTA.com's TennisLink (tournament 704139009) through next Saturday.

--SCISA Class AA state champion Colleton Prep dominated the Region 2-AA honors, with player of the year Sarah McDonald, coach of the year Trent Cannon and all-region selections Brittan Carter, Tabor Copeland and Caitlin Crosby.

--Regular season champion Sewee Outpost scored a 3-2 victory over No. 2 H.S.I. last weekend at the I'On Club to win the championship of the Charleston Pro Tennis League. Former College of Charleston star Timo Siebert captained the Sewee team that led the 10-week CPTL season from start to finish. For more information, go to www.cptltennis.com.

--Country Club of Charleston pro Lee Brockman reports that last weekend's Battle of James Island raised more than $1,000 to support Special Olympics. Maybank Tennis Center and the Country Club tied for first place, with the James Island Yacht Club third in the three-team race.

Reach James Beck at jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.