Girls tennis: Wauconda's Hackman sectional champ

Sarah Hackman realized she would have to play well if she was going to win the singles title at Saturday's Cary-Grove girls tennis sectional.

The Wauconda sophomore sensation was impressive.

Defeating Hampshire's Hannah Hougland in the semifinals 6-2, 6-0, Hackman claimed top honors with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Jacobs' Ashley Kosy in the championship match.

It will be Hackman's second straight trip to the state finals.

"The best part of my game was my consistency," said Hackman. "I was consistent throughout the entire tournament. Hannah and Ashley are great players and I had to play well to beat them. I can learn from going to the finals last year. I will be more relaxed because I will be more familiar with the surroundings."

Kosy, a senior, will make her fourth straight trip to the state finals. She defeated Huntley's Madeleen Lang in the quarterfinals 6-0, 6-0 to advance to the state meet. Kosy moved to the finals with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Prairie Ridge's Annie Timm in the semifinals.

"I am disappointed I didn't do better in the championship match," said Kosy. "Sarah is a really good player. I am really happy to go to the state finals. It is always fun. I want to end my senior year on a good note."

Like Kosy, Hougland, a senior, advanced to the state finals for a fourth straight year. Finishing fourth, Hougland lost to Timm 6-2, 6-1 in the third place match.

"I put all my energies into qualifying for the state finals," said Hougland. "I just wanted to play well and have fun. It is always exciting to play in the state finals. I just want to play hard and do the best I can."

In doubles action, the Crystal Lake Central duo of Maddie Fox-Sarah Massett was first followed by Prairie Ridge's Jenna Van Bosch-Katie Cox, PR's Morgan Riddell-Morgan Priesz and Jacobs' Alexa Azcui-Katie Toomire.

Prairie Ridge claimed the sectional team title with a score of 26 points. Jacobs was second with a score of 22.