Palatine's Kawai nets third-place finish
Day three of the girls tennis state tournament in Buffalo Grove commenced after a three-hour rain delay early Saturday.
Eight hours and an additional venue later, Hinsdale Central registered its third team title in five years by collecting 50 points ahead of Stevenson (30) and New Trier (27).
The cards were dealt, and they were wild with Red Devils as Hinsdale Central duo Sandra Keta and Stephanie Dolehide achieved a doubles state title while singles player Isabella Lorenzini grabbed her first singles title after faltering in the championship match in the prior two editions of the tournament.
Palatine sophomore Asuka Kawai provided a highlight for the Mid-Suburban League by grabbing a third-place singles finish.
She suffered her first loss of the season in the semifinals against Lorenzini, who won 6-3, 6-4.
But Kawai did not lose her composure in the next round, as she ousted Latin School of Chicago standout Alessandra Bianco 6-0 in the first set before Bianco defaulted in the second set.
Prior to her sophomore year, Kawai mulled whether or not she would return for a second season as she considered opting for pro tennis.
Kawai wasted no time on Saturday, saying that she will return for her junior year. She also learned some lessons after faltering to the eventual state champ in the semifinals.
Kawai is already mentally preparing for the 2016-17 campaign.
"I know (Lorenzini) will be back," Kawai said. "I know how she plays and how good she is. She taught me a lot of things. I have to prepare more next year so I can get used to the wind and move my feet better.
"It pumped me up the whole tournament having my teammates and classmates watching and cheering for me. It gives me motivation. I have an awesome team and I'm a really lucky person. I'm so grateful for the support from (Palatine) coach (Jim) Lange."
Stevenson's duet of senior Vinaya Rao and junior Katherine Harvey was trying to repeat as state champs.
And they nearly got it, earning a second straight finals berth with a dramatic 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-3 victory over Hinsdale Central's Danielle Burich and Erika Oku.
However, Rao and Harvey were unable to defend their state crown, falling 7-6 (3), 1-6, 7-5 in the finals to Hinsdale Central's other duo of Keta and Dolehide.
The battle for doubles state champ began at Buffalo Grove but was relocated to Midtown Athletic Club Palatine- Forest Grove Tennis Club for two games of the second set and the rest of the third.
"First off, Hinsdale Central played great," said Stevenson coach Tom Stanhope. "Dolehide was making great plays. At the beginning of the year, there was nervousness (from Rao and Harvey). Their state title last year was unexpected. They lost a couple matches in the beginning of the year so they didn't have to worry about being seeded no. 1."
"They've played loose all year and played very well for the last three weeks. We came from the hardest sectional in the state. We have such a young team. It feels like we got the keys to the Ferrari (for next season). We pride ourselves in team tennis and we're proud of that philosophy."
Rao exits after an illustrious career at Stevenson. She was a four-time state qualifier in singles and doubles. Her trophy case contains a doubles state title, a runner-up, two-single state qualifying runs and a sectional title in doubles.
"We were worried about how Vinaya's game would transfer over to doubles (two years ago), but that shows how much we know," Stanhope said. "She stepped in and was always a team player. She will be missed."