Jacobs takes home sectional plaque
The goal had been achieved and Saturday it was all about the tennis.
The girls tennis players that advanced through the first day of the South Elgin sectional on Friday had already achieved what they came for — they had qualified for the state meet. What remained on Saturday was to determine who finished where of the remaining group and who took home the team sectional title plaque.
Add in players that want the best draw possible at state and you have an interesting day of tennis that was moved to the Centre Court Athletic Club in Hanover Park because of the weather.
“You want to leave it all out on the court,” said Jacobs senior Miranda Curtis, who with doubles partner Jen Regard took third place Saturday, one of four sectional victories for the Golden Eagles including the team championship with 28 points. Huntley was second with 20 followed by Hampshire with 10.
“We’re excited for state. I think we have an opportunity to score a few points,” said Jacobs coach Jon Betts. “I’m real excited with how all the girls played (during sectionals).
The state meet starts Thursday and runs through Saturday. The meet headquarters is Buffalo Grove High School with early competition at 11 other high schools in the north and northwest suburbs.
Three out of the four singles qualifiers were freshmen. Ashley Kosy of Jacobs won the singles title, beating senior Kayla Garcia of Huntley 6-2, 6-1 in the final. Garcia is making a return trip to state.
Elgin freshman Dahlia Keonavongsa prevailed over Hampshire’s Hannah Hougland 6-1, 6-2 for third place.
“One of my goals early in the season was to make state and I’m glad I made it,” Keonavongsa said. “I’m happy with my play, but I can always improve. I’ll keep working on it in practice.” Not only is she looking forward to her first trip to state, but continued matches during high school with Kosy, who is her cousin.
Kosy won over Keonavongsa in semifinal play, 6-4, 6-0.
“I was nervous. She’s an amazing player and was playing really well,” Kosy said.
Seniors Megan Elliot and Alina Zabolotico went to state in 2011 as singles players. On Saturday, they won the No. 1 doubles title, beating Huntley’s Ally Pietrusiak and Brooke Romero 6-1,6-3.
“We’re pretty strong. We’re as strong as we’re ever going to be,” Zabolotico said. The pair were the only state-qualifying doubles team at this sectional to win all their matches in straight sets.
“This was really fun. The sectional was good and at state we’ll go all out,” Elliot said.
Regard and Curtis won the third-place medal with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Monica Patthana and Julia Schreiner of Hampshire.
“We started the sectional off slow, but we got better as it went on,” Regard said.