5.0 Women’s Finalists: Richmond, VA

Leslie Butterworth, Lindsey Wyeth, Kirsten Elim, captain Julie Ogborne, Martha Condyles, Ginny Wortham, and Margie Walsh. (Juan Ocampo/USTA photo)

INDIAN WELLS, CA--The Richmond Mid-Atlantic team was named the 5.0 Women’s National Finalist.

At No. 1 singles, Mid-Atlantic’s Ginny Wortham whipped Julie Barrier 6-2, 6-0, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Southern Cal’s No. 1 doubles team of Amy Alcini and Tracie Currie won in straight sets over Kirsten Elim and captain Julie Ogborne 6-3, 6-3.

The Southern California (Malibu) No. 2 doubles team of Deborah Higa and 1977 Wimbledon Women’s Doubles Champion Joanne Russell prevailed over Margie Walsh and Leslie Butterworth 5-7, 6-1, 10-7 in the third-set tiebreak. (Russell beat Martina Navratilova and Betty Stove in that Wimbledon final and reached a career-high No. 22 in singles.)

Ogborne said, “The difference was just a matter of Southern California’s strong doubles teams playing the big points better. Southern Cal executed some key shots at big moments and they deserved the victory. Our team simply gave 100% effort on every point and we are proud to make that final. It was battle to get there and everyone on our team contributed.” 

Other Richmond players who contributed to the team’s success this season are Lindsey Wyeth and Martha Condyles.

Ogborne said, “Our friendships with each other make this a special team. We all contributed to the success of this season. In the first three team matches at Nationals, a different player or doubles team clinched the team victories. Four out of the five team matches that we won prior to the final were 2-1 wins, so any of those matches could have gone either way.” 

In 2007, Condyles was the captain and directed several members on this team to a National Runner-up finish.

In November, Wortham, Ogborne, and Elim will be going to 10.0 National Mixed Doubles in Tucson.