Thursday, August 1, 1996

Hardin loses as Hendrick Sectionals continue

By MARK WILSON
Staff Writer

The cap Kelly Harding put on after her second-round loss in the Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation Junior Sectional tournament must have brought out the philosopher in the top-seeded redhead.

"I didn't really play with any heart," Harding admitted after Wednesday's 6-2, 6-1 loss in girls 18 singles to Midland's Marci Holland Wednesday afternoon at Fairway Oaks Country Club. "When you've got it, you've got it - and I didn't have it.

"There will be other chances, and I will prove to everyone I am a good player."

Harding knew she wasn't playing well in the afternoon, but things had been quite different just a few hours earlier.

"This morning I was," she said of her first-round win over Morgan Switzer of Corpus Christi. "I tensed up really bad. I got really nervous. I got coached too much before the match. I knew what I had to do to beat her."

That's because Harding had just faced Holland a couple of weeks ago in the Austin Aquafest tournament. Holland won that match, as well.

Harding, who will be a senior at Cooper this year, played No. 6 and No. 7 singles last season. Harding and CHS teammate Alison Gibson, seeded No. 1 in girls 18 doubles, were scheduled to play their first-round match later Wednesday.

Gibson, seeded No. 2 behind Harding, also moved into the consolation bracket with a singles loss Wednesday.

The tournament, which began Tuesday, will continue at several sites around Abilene through the weekend. Most of the championship matches and consolation finals will be held at the tournament headquarters, Rose Park Tennis Center, on Saturday.

Holland, who will be a senior at Midland High, played No. 1 doubles and No. 3 singles for the Lady Bulldogs last season. But other than reaching the consolation final in the Houston Junior Open this summer, she hasn't had many highlights this year.

"I had to requalify (for the championship level) this year, so I haven't played that many tournaments," Holland said.

Holland didn't even know that Harding was the No. 1 seed until after their match.

"I usually notice those things," Holland said. "I should have noticed."

Holland doesn't think having two straight wins over Harding will give her any more confidence than usual.

"I don't think it matters that much," Holland said. "I've been seeded No. 1 in tournaments before, and you feel pressure more."

Sometimes, though, just having a previous win over a particular player can create higher expectations than being highly seeded.

"If I've already beaten somebody, I put more pressure on myself," Holland said. "This morning, I played somebody I had lost to before. This time (against Harding), I had a little more pressure."

Holland's strength is her consistency, and she also seems to fare better than some in the type of heat the players are experiencing here.

"I probably do better in the heat," Holland said. "She dealt with the wind better. Toward the end, (the wind) really picked up.

"I played a little more conservative than I should. My main goal is to stay steady. I really need to hit more first serves in. I start off behind sometimes because I don't get into the rhythm soon enough."

The steadiness factor is particularly important at the championship level, according to Holland.
"Yes, it is better to play consistent than to try to hit winners," Holland said.

And, as Harding had noted, "Anybody can beat anybody on a given day. Anyone can beat anyone at this level."