Jacobs' Nowak snares 3rd at CLC

Jacobs freshman Sydney Nowak has a trait a lot of seniors don't possess. Resiliency.

After being defeated by Crystal Lake Central standout Nelle Youel 6-0, 6-1 in the semifinals of the No. 1 singles match at Saturday's Crystal Lake Central Invitational, Nowak came back strong to capture third place with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Prairie Ridge's Alyssa Fetzner.

"It is always fun to play Nelle because she is such a good player and we are very good friends," said Nowak. "Playing her makes me better. I played a little better in the third place match. My serving was better. I didn't have many double faults. I just need to get to practice and become more consistent."

Youel claimed top honors with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Warren's Michelle Dutt in the championship match.

"I have played Nelle all 4 years in this tournament and she is a very good player," said Dutt. "I didn't play very well in the first set, but did a better job in the second set. I dictated points better and was more aggressive."

Youel was pleased with pleased with her efforts.

"I came out playing smart and aggressive," said Youel. "It is nice to win this invitational my senior year."

Warren and Crystal Lake Central tied for top honors with 26 points. Prairie Ridge and Rockford Boylan tied for third place with 20 points apiece. Jacobs was fifth with 17 points. Lake Zurich was sixth with a score of 16. St. Charles East was seventh with 12 points and Harlem was last with a point.

Other than Nowak's third-place efforts, Missy Cabolatico was second at No. 3 singles for the Golden Eagles and the No. 3 doubles team of Haydn Taylor and Kelsie Elliott was also a runner-up.

For Warren, the co-champion in the tournament, got first place efforts from Max Mella (No. 3 singles), Nicole Suchsland-Melissa Foster (No. 4 doubles). Second-place finishes for the Blue Devils came from Dutt (No. 1 singles) and Kim Mella (No. 2 singles).

Lake Zurich, which finished sixth, received third-place finishes from Layla Ranjbar-Sam Wilson (No. 2 doubles) and Megan Ewan-Stephanie Locasto (No. 4 doubles).

St. Charles East's seventh place effort was keyed by a third-place finish from Sarah Chruch at No. 3 singles.