Barrington passes Buffalo Grove's test
Thursday night, with plenty of commotion going around the courts due to Bronco Days and excitement for an out-of-the-ordinary Thursday night lights meet, Barrington and Buffalo Grove faced off in a Mid-Suburban League girls tennis divisional crossover match.
The Fillies (6-2), who have won the MSL West 18 straight times, were meeting the East Division's nine-time defending champ. In this test, West was best as the Fillies topped the Bison 7-0.
The programs hadn't meet in a regular-season dual since 2011, but both feel there's competitively healthy nature when they get together.
“I didn't expect the sweep, but it was just really good high school tennis,” said Barrington coach Tracy Waters-Miller. “The score didn't reflect how close it was. It was just fun watching both teams, and I'm pleased to come away with a couple of wins.”
Barrington sophomore No. 1 singles player Michelle Linden registered a victory over Buffalo Grove senior Allison Flack 6-0, 6-1, while Fillies junior No. 2 singles player Caroline Levy notched a win over Buffalo Grove junior Anna Klipstein 6-0, 6-1.
Barrington senior No. 3 singles player Kara Rubashskin and Buffalo Grove sophomore Anna Sandler were neck and neck throughout their entire match. Rubaskin was able to bring home the win 7-5, 6-4.
Buffalo Grove No. 1 senior doubles team Rachel Gross/Julia Zducyzek fell to Barrington's No. 1 doubles team of junior Addie Hirsh and sophomore Anna Donoghue (4-2) 6-1, 6-2.
“Buffalo Grove is a challenge every time,” Donoghue said. “We need to keep up the hard work, and not take things for granted. It's a different story when you get to conference.”
Barrington no. 2 doubles team senior Ally Vick/sophomore Paige Broustis registered a win against Buffalo Grove senior Jenna Lee Moran/junior Maddy Delano 6-3, 6-1. With a 6-3, 6-1 finish over Buffalo Grove juniors Jessie Jarosz/Anna Harisiades, Barrington seniors Erin Guarnieri/Kiersten Nordli posted a win.
The No. 4 doubles team was the sole match that went into three sets. Barrington senior duet Angela Leontyev/Kelsey Carroll won a nail-biter 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 over Buffalo Grove junior tandem Grace Hong/Stephanie Mayer.
“I don't think we played our best,” said Buffalo Grove coach Kevin Schrammel, whose team suffered its first loss this fall. “At this point of the season, we can't be focused on Barrington (and the MSL tournament), but our goal is to win it each and every year.”
The two won't see each other until the MSL meet. Barrington next faces Carmel on Monday, while Buffalo Grove jumps right into its own hosted invitational Saturday.