With a mid-season replacement coach, the Glen Eden Gladiators clinched the Raleigh Junior Tennis League Summer Championship Aug. 10 at Millbrook Exchange Park.

When the team's former leader left for personal reasons, Lawrence Williams stepped in and led his players to the top of the 15-team bracket, beating the Green Road Gators for the citywide championship.

The Raleigh Junior Tennis League is part of a nationwide program sponsored by the United States Tennis Association for beginner to low intermediate players under 17. Raleigh's Parks and Recreation Department manages the league at the Millbrook Exchange Park Tennis Center.

The triumphant Gladiators are boys and girls ages 6 to 16.

Williams, a retired high-school and middle-school principal and president of the Ebony Racquet Club of Raleigh, was in his element. His team embarked on a grueling schedule of practicing and playing four days a week.

"It was a great group of kids who enjoyed playing tennis," he said. "They wanted to learn and they listened."

The junior tennis champs are Luke Bobo, 8; Suzannah Carroll, 16; Evan Kidd, 13; Ryan Kidd, 10; Kady Kuehn, 10; Devin Lancaster, 12; Madeline Munsey, 8; Igor Podolsky, 12; Lukas Queyquep, 10; Emma Rich, 13; Ethan Saber, 6; and Lizzie Smith, 10.