Girls tennis: Elgin duo excited for opportunity to compete at state

Elgin High freshman Marta Krakowski leads an interesting life on the tennis court.

Off the court it's pretty darned cool as well.

Krakowski, part of the Gifted Academy at Elgin, attends Polish school Fridays from 5-8:45 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary's Church in Algonquin. Both of Krakowski's parents were born in Poland.

"I've been doing it since first grade," said Krakowski, who noted she's on track to graduate from the Polish school at the end of her junior year. "You learn about the history, the language and literature. At home I speak pretty fluent Polish."

She's also rather fluent in the language called good tennis player.

Krakowski recently won the St. Charles East individual sectional title and will bring an undefeated 24-0 record into Thursday's state tournament at various Northwest suburban locations. Krakowski earned a coveted 17-32 seed in the 128-player tournament (this is the final year of the single-class system in girl' tennis) and opens play at Hoffman Estates High School. A possible matchup with Chicago Latin School sophomore Alessandra Bianco (who reached the consolation semifinals/tied for seventh in the state as a freshman last year), could await in the third round Thursday at Hoffman. Bianco is a No. 3-4 seed in the tournament. Elgin has never had a girls tennis state medalist.

"Marta hits a really nice and flat ball," said Elgin coach Phet Rattana. "She hits it nice and hard. Marta is good at moving across the court. She has nice movement and she's aggressive."

Beyond the physical gifts, Krakowski points to the mental side of her game as a large contributor to her success. "I stay positive," she said. "I've been told by a lot of coaches that I have strong mental toughness. I don't break down. I never let people get to me. I'm a strong person. Once you start giving up or tearing yourself down, you lose that mental toughness and your game goes down from there. My mind channels how I play and the positivity goes into your strokes."

Krakowski was introduced to the sport in grade school by her father. She started playing in regional USTA tournaments a few years later. According to the USTA website, as of this month Krakowski was ranked 74th in the Midwest Girls 14s singles division and 27th in the Chicago Girls 14s singles division.

"I try to play as much as I can," she said. "It helps a lot to get that type of experience and to play so many good girls. I definitely use that in high school tennis. I've changed the way I look at tennis. It's the real deal. I'm in high school now and there's the possibility of scholarships. I'm more serious toward the sport."

An interesting dynamic in play is Krakowski played at No. 2 singles for the Maroons this season, winning the Upstate Eight Conference River Division crown at that position. Elgin's No. 1 singles player is senior Dahlia Keonavongsa, who is making her fourth and final appearance in the state finals tournament. Keonavongsa starts tournament play today at Elk Grove High School.

"I'm kind of glad I was at No. 2," Krakowski said. "This is Dahlia's senior year and it's her year to shine. This is kind of my trial year to figure out what's happening. I've seen what Dahlia has gone through and that will help prepare me next year if I'm at No. 1."

Most coaches don't have the luxury of easing a standout and tournament-tested freshman singles player into the varsity lineup. Rattana is one of the few ones who did.

"Marta easily could be No. 1 on anybody's team," he said. "This definitely is unique. Did I ever think about making her No. 1? I didn't want to put any pressure on her and we had Dahlia at No. 1 and she's a now four-time state qualifier. It never was in my mind to put her there. Marta has been a treat on and off the court as far as her personality and the way she handles herself. She's one of the girls you are lucky to have on a team. And it's been neat with Dahlia here. I'm so happy Dahlia made it to state again. I'm glad Dahlia and Marta had a year together."

Keonavongsa and Krakowski are no strangers to each other when it comes to tennis. They belong to the same Prairie Stone Sports and Wellness Center in Hoffman Estates.

"I've known Marta for a while. We've hit together for a few years," said Keonavongsa. "I've always known she is a strong player and I've had high hopes for her. I'm really proud of her. She's a great player and has been outstanding this season."

Krakowski said she's learned plenty from her senior teammate. "Dahlia's helped me a lot," she said. "She's been through conference and sectionals and state. She provides a path to follow. She's been great as a mentor. She provides the background of what's going on in these tournaments and what is going to happen. I'm lucky to have her."

Krakowski admits one aspect of her season has come as a surprise - that 24-0 record.

"I wasn't expecting to be undefeated until the state tournament," she said. "There is kind of a little pressure on me. People think I'm going to do well at state and are waiting for that first loss and when it's going to be. What helps me is most of the girls going to state I've heard of or seen before. I'm thankful I have the level of experience I have. I'll practice and get my mind ready for what to expect."

Both Krakowski and Keonavongsa know what they would like to accomplish at state. "The last few years at state, my record has been 1-2," said Keonavongsa, who is ranked 14th academically in an Elgin senior class of more than 600 students and is thinking about studying engineering in college. "My goal is to make it to that fourth match this season and win one more match. I'd like to make it to Friday."

Krakowski is looking forward to getting the lay of the land at state. "It's going to be tough competition," she said. "I want to win at least one or two matches. That's my goal. That and to find out what it's like."

Regardless of outcomes, this year's state tournament will feature the culmination of a great high school tennis career and the continuation of another one filled with great future promise.

Mike Miazga has been writing about sports in the Fox Valley for more than two decades. Email him at mjm890@gmail.com