Pine Creek getting warmer in bid for title

   Doherty senior Liz Crews was warming up for the 5A Region 2 tennis tournament along with players from eight other teams Thursday morning at Memorial Park.

    Mostly, though, Crews and her peers were just trying to stay warm.

    "Snow was coming right in my face," Crews said. "It was really weird."

    The backup plan was for the Region 2 to move indoors to the Lynmar Racquet and Health Club, where Pine Creek coach Dave Layman teaches.

    Region 8, hosted by Lewis-Palmer at the Air Force Academy, wasn't so fortunate, as Thursday's action was postponed to today, with the tourney slated to end Saturday.

    Region 2 players had to work around the scheduled court times of Lynmar members.

    "A lot of my teammates had to stop in the middle of their match or change courts," said Pine Creek junior Ryann Warner, who advanced to the No. 1 singles final. "It was pretty crazy in here with so many girls."

    Warner, the No. 2 seed, dropped three gemes in four sets in two wins. She plays Arapahoe's Sarah Ray, the top seed, today at Memorial Park.

    "I was in a zone today," Warner said. "We've worried about the wind all year, which makes you change and hit more topspin and not go for it as much. Today, I was pretty aggressive."

    Pine Creek and Arapahoe are the top contenders for the team title.

    Crews lost 6-0, 6-2 to top seed Suzanne Chang of Arapahoe in the No. 2 singles semifinal. If Chang wins today's finals, Crews can challenge the runnerup for a qualifying spot for next week's state tournament in Denver.

    Crews beat Coronado's Morgan DeWitt 6-3, 6-4 in the first round after losing twice to her this year.

    "It was a nerve-wracking day but I was glad to move inside," Crews said.

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