Accardi gives sectional qualifier Prospect a lift

The defending Class AA girls golf state champs are still alive in this year's state tourney.

And who did the Prospect get a big lift from to keep its hopes alive with a third-place finish in Wednesday's Loyola regional?

A sophomore who wasn't even on the 2013 state championship squad.

Sabrina Accardi carded a personal-best score of 83 to complement senior Kacie O'Donnell (82), sophomore Kate Ponzi (93), and 94s from seniors Sammy Minasian and Emma Dazzo to give Prospect (352) the third and final sectional qualifying spot behind Loyola (335) and New Trier (338) at the Glencoe Golf Club.

In one of the toughest regionals in the state (Prospect, Loyola and New Trier were among the top four in last year's state tourney), Fremd junior JaeHee Hur took medalist honors with a 4-over par 76 on a windy but warm afternoon in Glencoe.

Accardi's clutch round was the result of a personal-best 38 on the back nine following a 45 on the front.

"The big reason we are moving on as a team is Sabrina Accardi," said Knights coach Jim Hamann. "After the ninth hole, she basically opened up the big pocket of her golf bag, stuffed all her teammates in it, and said, 'C'mon girls, let's keep going.' "

And now the Knights will be going to the Warren sectional on Monday at the Bittersweet Golf Course in Gurnee.

"Sabrina carried everyone on the back nine and we couldn't be prouder of the way she has improved all season," Hamann said.

Accardi scored a 105 in the Mid-Suburban League junior varsity meet as a freshman.

"I just kept a positive attitude the entire time," she said of her round on Wednesday, which included a birdie on the front and back. "My drives were going real straight and that helped me get to a lot of greens in regulation. I just had a much better attitude and I didn't get down on myself."

O'Donnell shot a 42 and a 40.

"And Kacie finished like a champion," Hamann said. "She birdied her last hole."

"This is awesome,' said O'Donnell about the Knights advancing as a team. "I think it was the windiest conditions we played in all season. I just tried to keep everything as low as a I could."

Hur's low individual score was quite impressive.

"With all the talent in the field and the (windy) conditions, this was a tremendous accomplishment for JaeHee," said Fremd coach Christine Vlaming. "It was challenging golf out there and fun to watch her play.

"She is a real workhorse. She goes out and practices all the time. I am so proud of her."

Vlaming also watched two other Vikings advance individually. Haezi Jung, also a junior, tied for fourth with an 87 while sophomore AnnMarie O'Sullivan was fifth with a 91.

"And all three of them are back for us," Vlaming said of the underclassmen. "It's AnneMarie's first year on the varsity. It's really a testament to the kids' hard work, knowing that every shot counted and that they had to fight through all 18 holes.

"I'm really proud of them. We're excited. This is a great way to finish our season."

Hur will be going to the sectional for the second straight year.

"I struggled hitting the ball early with the wind," she said. "It was the windiest day we've played this season. My ball wasn't going straight on the front nine but my coaches (Vlaming and assistant Jeremy Malinowski) helped me out to get through the back nine (3 birdies for a 36). My bunker shots and chips saved me a lot."

Other area players saving Monday for a sectional berth are Hersey's Megan Kopeny (seventh with an 88), Hersey's Lexi Heidkamp (93) and Rolling Meadows Lauren Hattory (93).

Heidkamp and Hattory were part of a three-way playoff with Glenbrook South's Hannah Buchband.

Heidkamp advanced by winning the first playoff hole while Hattory, a pitcher for Meadows' softball team, and Buchband went two more holes before settling the final qualifying spot on No. 3.

Prospect qualified as a team to the sectional for a 10th straight season under Hamann.

"We're really excited about the opportunity to play Monday," Hamann said. "Our score may not have showed it but these kids are starting to play real well. We are focused on the task at hand, and that is Monday's tournament.

"It's my job to get them ready and I will give it everything I got."