Renae Bebler is having a terrific time in the sun in Tucson, Arizona.

Wednesday, May 10, 2000

Renae Bebler is having a terrific time in the sun in Tucson, Arizona.

On Tuesday, the Riverland sophomore advanced to the No. 1 singles championship of the Division III National Junior College Tournament with a 6-3, 6-4 semifinal win over the No. 2 seed from Gloucester Community College in the tournament.

Today, Bebler plays Kelly Whipple of Monroe Community College in the championship.

Whipple, the No. 3 seed, beat the No. 1 seed in her semifinal match.

"Bebler is playing great," Riverland coach Suzy Hebrink said. "She has a good chance of winning in the finals. Playing good singles has been her goal this year.

"A couple of coaches here have said how well she is playing singles this year after seeing her last year in the Nationals."

Of Riverland’s entries into the national tournament – four singles players and three doubles teams – Bebler is the only remaining Blue Devil with national title hopes.

In doubles, Bebler and Jen Ankeny lost 6-4, 7-5 in the semifinals. They will be playing for third place. Bebler and Ankeny had won their opening match on Monday against Kelly Radcliff and April Nelson of Gloucester, 6-3, 6-3.

At No. 4 singles Anne Hackbart lost her semifinals match 8-3. Hackbart defeated Ashley Born of Joliet, 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 on Monday to reach the semis.