Kuryluk's state dream comes true for BG

Ulana Kuryluk got to watch her Buffalo Grove teammates at the state badminton tournament last year.

Now, Kuryluk gets to play next weekend at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. She finished fourth in singles Friday to help host BG win its second straight sectional title and fifth in its history.

"It's amazing," Kuryluk said after qualifying for state for the first time. "It's like a dream come true. It's what I've been working for the past four years."

Kuryluk lost to teammate and repeat state qualifier Deanna Guyton in the third-place match. Defending state doubles champions Ashton and Heather Nisbet beat senior teammates Michelle Byjos and Nell Boyd 22-20, 21-12 for the sectional title.

Prospect finished second and had three first-time qualifiers as junior Jackie Hertrich took second in singles and senior Karly Grouwinkel and sophomore Shea Gallus were third in doubles.

Kuryluk lost to Hertrich in a three-set semifinal but won the consolation match she needed to get to state. Guyton won their match 21-13, 20-22, 21-18.

"Another goal of ours was to get everyone down so they could experience it," said Heather Nisbet. "I was so happy for (Kuryluk). I know she'll work her tail off and do the best she can at state."

Kuryluk won MSL singles titles the past two years at No. 10 and No. 5 even though doubles as her strength.

"Last year I thought singles would never work out," Kuryluk said. "After winning that I knew maybe I'd have a chance at winning and maybe qualifying for state.

"Watching is one thing but to get out on the court playing is totally different. It pushed me to reach that goal I set for myself."

Said BG coach Chris Van Grondelle: "She's an incredible kid. She's the first one to get in the gym and last to leave. She has that kind of mentality and I couldn't be happier for her."

The Nisbets and Byjos, who is returning to state while Boyd makes her first trip, were also happy with their last test before state.

"They always put up a great match against us," Ashton Nisbet said. "I know they're going to do great at state."

Byjos and Kate Meyers, who graduated, finished second to the Nisbets in last year's sectional.

"I thought this was our best game out of the entire season," Byjos said. "We played amazing and did everything we can."

Hertrich had to battle the Mid-Suburban League's best at No. 1 singles all year and lost both of her matches in two sets at last weekend's tourney. But she rebounded to reach the final, which she lost 21-19, 21-13 to Glenbrook South's Danielle Balzano.

"I was definitely very nervous," Hertrich said. "I really wanted to get to state. I wouldn't say I expected it but I really worked hard to get there."

At Willowbrook: Elk Grove had five state qualifiers - its doubles teams of Khushbu Patel and Sarah Moskal (second) and Shreya and Sejal Patel (fourth) and Catherine Yuh in singles (fourth).