TEAMTENNIS : Strings Impressive Against Raleigh

The Strings never trailed during a 27-14 victory over the Raleigh Edge in TeamTennis Wednesday night at the Forum.

The Strings opened with a 6-0 lead in women’s doubles when Mary Lou Daniels and Robin White beat Shaun Stafford and Ronni Reis.

It was the first of the Strings’ three 6-0 set victories. Jimmy Connors helped deliver the other two, shutting out the Edge’s Tim Wilkison in singles and joining with player/coach John Lloyd to blank Wilkison and Pat Serret.

The closest the Edge came was 10-6, after Stafford beat Daniels, 6-4, in women’s singles, but L.A. took charge in men’s doubles.

“TeamTennis is a gamble, especially in doubles,” Lloyd said.

“Now Jimmy and I don’t make the mistake of playing conservatively.”

Serret seemed to be serving masterfully, but the Strings kept guessing right on the location.

“We poached every time he went outside, and stayed put when he served it inside,” Lloyd said.

“We got lucky, really.”

Raleigh (6-6) only earned a chance at overtime because Wilkison and Stafford beat Lloyd and White, 6-4, in the final set. In overtime, Wilkison-Stafford lost after winning two more games.

The Strings (7-5) play Wichita tonight at 7 at the Forum.