Lake Park prepares with win vs. Montini

Monday's 5-2 win by the Lake Park girls tennis team over host Montini was an end and a beginning for both teams.

It was the regular-season finale for each squad before both face their respective conference meets this weekend.

For the Broncos, it was a senior day celebration as those players were competing at the Butterfield Park District tennis courts for the final time for their school.

Now all the fine-tuning is done, all the work necessary to bring games to the highest level possible has concluded. It's final exam time - tennis style. Both coaches will attend seeding meetings Wednesday.

Lake Park coach Ben Hussey said his team will have its work cut out for it in what he considers a very tough DuPage Valley Conference when the teams gather Friday at Neuqua Valley. He expressed optimism that the Lancers can get players to state out of Lake Park's own sectional the following weekend.

"That's defintely the goal," he said.

Sophomore Gina Odisho, who went to state as a freshman, winning a match, wrapped up her regular season with a 6-0, 6-0 victory. She's aiming for as much momentum as she can going from the league meet to sectionals.

"I want to make sure I'm as good as I can be," she said.

Odisho said having state experience is a plus.

"I was definitely excited about making it last season. But I'm going in now knowing what to expect and I feel prepared," she added.

Also winning for Lake Park were Skye Palumbo at No. 2 singles and Nina Pasquini at No. 3. Doubles victors were Diana Chernyakhivsky and Lilian Gulyk at No. 3 and the duo of Alexis Belmonte and Nancy Cozzi at No. 4.

Montini is in a strong position for Saturday's GCAC tournament in Palos Hills; their lone dual-meet league loss was to Providence.

"The girls are wanting to do well. They've put in the extra effort," said Broncos coach Tiffany Scott.

Montini's two wins Monday came in doubles play. The No. 1 team of Sofia Yunez and Gabby Stinsa won 7-6. The No. 2 pair of Tania Yunez and Ava Gianatasio prevailed 6-3, 6-3.

Montini's No. 2 entry has just two losses all season, to St. Francis and Nazareth.

"Tania and I are communicating and working well together as a team," Gianatasio said.

Tania Yunez said there have been challenges.

"We've faced some tough opponents. But we've usually pulled it out. It's been a good season," she said.