A team composed primarily of players who originated from the South Pacific island of Tonga won the United States Tennis Association 4.0 national championships Sunday with a 3-2 win over Jackson, Miss.
The team, which plays out of Salt Lake City's Liberty Park, triumphed over the best 17 men's teams from around the nation.Team members are captain Fatai Talivakaola, Lopiseni Finau, Tohi Heimuli, Larry Jones, Al Lolohea, Maile Lolohea, Anitelu Mahina, Tevita Tangulu, Lihai Tauteoli, Misimoa Tuai, Tevita Wolfgramm and Anthony Wong. The two lone non-Tongans are Wong, who is from Malaysia, and Jones, who grew up in Michigan.
Salt Lake's No. 1 doubles team of Talivakaola and Tuai clinched the championship with a 7-6, 7-6 bictory over Jackson's Johnny McCroy and Ron Womack. That gave Salt Lake a 3-0 lead and clinched the title. The Salt Lakers forfeited the remaining two matches to make the final score 3-2.
Earlier in the day Salt Lake defeated Schenectady, N.Y., 3-2 in the semifinals as Lolohea clinched the victory by defeating Lynn McConchie, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 at No. 1 singles.
The USTA League Tennis Program is the world's largest recreational tennis league with a network of more than 200,000 tennis player throughout the country. The league groups players by ability using six National Tennis Rating Program levels, from 2.5 (beginner) to 5.0 (advanced).