MSL's big winners: Hersey, Barrington
The top two teams in both Mid-Suburban League divisions squared off Tuesday.
It turned out to be a tight matchup of the East's top two, while in the West, not so much.
Hersey edged Buffalo Grove 4-3, while Barrington powered past Fremd 7-0 as last season's top four MSL finishers were in action.
Defending conference and sectional champion Michelle Linden (10-3) of Barrington topped Fremd freshman Elsie Ha 6-0, 6-2. Linden is looking forward to a tough match against standout Palatine freshman Asuka Kawai next Tuesday.
"It takes me some time to get ready," Linden said. "(A win against Fremd) gives me a lot of confidence going into conference. Fremd is a good opponent to have a win against going forward."
Barrington senior and returning state qualifier Caroline Levy earned a victory over Fremd freshman Julia Smiarowska 6-0, 6-0, while Barrington senior no. 3 singles player Sanna Walia did the same against Nanase Soto, winning 6-4, 6-0.
In the No. 1 doubles match, Barrington's Addie Hirsch/Anna Donaghue topped Fremd's Maggie Hanna and her partner Kate Bodensteiner 6-2, 6-3. Fremd seniors Caroline Freeman/Alice Zhang faltered in a three-set bout against Barrington's junior duet, Paige Broustis/Nilhi Jha, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3.
Despite the outcome, Fremd coach Lauren Hall is content with her team's progress thus far.
"(Ha) had a good learning experience against Linden," Hall said. "It's good motivation for the postseason. I'm happy with (Zhang and Freeman) in how they came back in the second set. It's a good indication for conference."
Barrington's Hanna Park/Sara Amano defeated Jenna Kurtzweil/Abby Stelnicki 6-2, 6-0. And the Fillies' Kayleigh Ruffalo/HaYoung Park got a 6-3, 6-1 win over Fremds Amy Chen/Rachael Carlins.
Fremd amd Barrington will not only meet again in the MSL tournament, but they are also paired together in sectionals at Stevenson.
• At Buffalo Grove, the outcome wasn't nearly as clear cut.
Hersey No. 1 singles player Sara Magnuson and No. 3 Ana Karapetiani both their respective matches, 6-1, 6-0 and 6-0, 6-1. Hersey's No. 1 doubles team Elizabeth Niersbach/Anne Korff notched 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 win, and the No. 2 Huskies tandem of Sammi Lee/Emma Cooke tallied a 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 win.
"We didn't anticipate the match to be so close," said Hersey coach Sharon Meintzer. "A lot of these girls know each other. Sara (Magnuson) plays at the same club as (Buffalo Grove No. 1 singles player Anna) Klipstein. They are hitting partners. "(Tuesday's) match definitely clarifies position dilemmas I've had."
Buffalo Grove freshman Dasha Ignatova edged out Hersey Tyler Ann Valerio 3-6, 6-2, 1-6, and Buffalo Grove's No. 3 and 4 doubles teams both won their matches.
Fremd, Buffalo Grove and Fremd will compete in the Fall Classic at Prospect this weekend, while Barrington travels to Lake Forest for an invitational.
"Saturday's Fall Classic will determine how we can do," Meintzer said. "A of couple conference teams and sectional teams will be there, too. It's an important tournament to see where we're going to go, and how things are going to look."