Document text
41 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, November 17, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 28, 2004 Scott Schnugg smashes a return during Sunday�s singles final at the Morgan Stanley Open. Schnugg beat West Nott to win the $1,250 prize. Mail Tribune / Andrew Mariman Competition amongst friends Scott Schnugg beats teammate and good friend West Nott to nab his first professional victory By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune Scott Schnugg and West Nott have logged major tennis miles during their five-year friendship. But the distance the two traveled to meet competitively for the first time reached new heights on Sunday. Schnugg, a former North Medford High standout, needed three sets to oust longtime teammate Nott, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, in the men’s open singles final of the ninth annual $12,500 Morgan Stanley Open at Rogue Valley Swim and Tennis Club. Schnugg’s first professional victory brought with it a $1,250 payout, while Nott received $625 for his runner-up finish. Advertisement The pair had been teammates at Georgia Tech in Atlanta — nearly 2,600 miles from Medford — for the last three years, but hadn’t met competitively until Sunday. "I was hoping he wouldn’t play like that," said Schnugg of his narrow victory. "He’s tough to beat when he’s playing like that." The first set was a cake-walk for the 22-year-old Schnugg. He plastered forehand and backhand winners at will, while Nott struggled with unforced errors and a wayward serve. "I really struggled the whole day with (my serve)," said Nott, who first teamed with Schnugg as seniors on the Naples High tennis team in Florida. "I was a little nervous playing in front of this crowd and everything." The second set brought with it a different pace, however. The 5-foot-8 Nott, who gives up six inches and nearly 40 pounds to Schnugg, used his quickness to move his larger opponent laterally to gain an advantage. He also went to the net more, which is not normally a strength of his game. "I was just doing whatever I could to stay with him," said Nott, who upset top-seeded and defending champion Matt Hanlin in the quarterfinals. "He’s obviously a better player than I am, playing in the No. 1 position while I was at No. 3 (at Georgia Tech)." Schnugg, the No. 2 seed, set his frustration aside from the second-set loss, changed from a black headband to yellow and went to work on his first pro win. He found little breathing room — each side failed to break the others serve in the final set until the final game — but his forehand smash down the line finally clinched the three-set triumph. "I could tell he was starting to get into a rhythm (in the second set)," said Schnugg. "To be quite honest, I was really nervous playing in front of the home crowd and against a good friend. "I was lucky to come out on top." Schnugg followed up his singles crown with a men’s open doubles title. He and his 15-year-old brother, Nate, cruised to a 6-1, 6-1, victory over Trevor Gamble and Leo Young. Schnugg and Nott, who both graduate in the fall from Georgia Tech, will play in three more Pacific Northwest Circuit tournaments — the Morgan Stanley was the first leg of six PNW tournaments — in Roseburg, Eugene and Portland. The PNW circuit also makes stops in Vancouver, B.C., Tacoma, Wash., and comes to an end in Seattle in early August. Women’s Singles Monica Hoz de Vila just needed a little time to get acclimated to the pressure of a tournament finale. Trailing 4-1 to Ashland’s Bridget Wagner, Hoz de Villa slowly found her groove and pulled away for a 7-5, 6-3 victory. The Bolivia native and sophomore-to-be at University of Oregon claimed $500 in prize money for the win. "I had a very slow start," said the 19-year-old Hoz de Villa, who posted a 4-4 record with the Ducks. "I was missing too many shots early. Then (Wagner) started to miss some and I was able to come back." Wagner, a former Southern Oregon University player, defeated Emily Cook in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, to reach the finals, while Hoz de Vila slipped past Medford native Annie Chaney, 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, in the other semifinal match. Both finalists were unseeded. Sunday’s Results Men’s Open Singles Finals — Scott Schnugg d. West Nott, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4. Women’s Open Singles Finals — Monica Hoz De Villa d. Bridget Wagner, 7-5, 6-3. Men’s 35 Singles Finals — Steve Hirons d. Daniel Perone, 6-3, 6-2. Men’s 45 Singles Finals — Wayne Pickard d. Andris Olins, 6-2, 6-1. Men’s 55 Singles Semifinals — Carl Norgauer d. Bill Shaffer, 6-1, 6-1; Jon Ferguson d. William Cohon, 6-3, 7-6. Finals — Ferguson d. Norgauer, 7-6 (3), 6-4. Men’s Open Doubles Finals — Scott Schnugg-Nate Schnugg d. Trevor Gamble-Leo Young, 6-1, 6-1. Men’s 35 Doubles Finals — Robert Brown-Daniel Perone d. Andris Olins-Gary Tribble, 6-3, 6-2. Men’s 55 Doubles Finals — Steve Sacks-Dick Streng d. Jon Ferguson-Dennis Reed, 6-2, 6-2. Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities