Boys tennis: Conant savors super sectional showing

Things could not have gone better for Dave Koleno on Friday afternoon.

The Conant boys tennis coach watched three of his four teams qualify to next weekend's state tournament, including first-timers Ryo Ishiyama/Arjun Rao, who did so by stunning top seed Fremd to join doubles teammates Nikhil Modak-Nico Rosas, who cruised to their second consecutive state appearance after excelling in sectional action.

"Those two guys just never gave up today - there was no quit in either one of them," said Koleno, just after watching freshman Vera Iyer get by 2015 state qualifier Markos Christoforou (Elk Grove) in his qualifying match to help end the day for the Cougars on a high note.

Mack Galvin (33-0) also advanced into the 64-man field, and with his performance on Friday, and a likely championship trophy today, the Rolling Meadows senior will take a giant step towards a 3-4 seed from the committee.

"I felt good out there today - served well, and put away points quickly so I could get home early, relax, and get ready for (Saturday)," said Galvin on his way out from tourney host Conant, where the semifinals begin at 8:30 a.m.

Lake Park has a very nice day as well, sending Piotr Lada (18-8) through for the third time in as many seasons, in addition to Josh Solarz/Aayush Patel, who will face Modak/Rosas in a semifinal.

"Josh and Aayush have been quite a story since we put them together," said Lancers coach Tim Martin. "They are 11-0 since our Lake Park Hildebrant Invite, and now (into) the state tournament along with Piotr."

Lada's victory in his qualifying match came at the expense of Hoffman Estates sophomore Daniel Lee.

Solarz/Patel defeated 5-6 seed Chris Stavrou/Advay Mahajan of Fremd to advance. Kazuki Matsuno (18-9) did advance to state and will meet Lada in the semifinals, with Galvin taking on Iyer.

Schaumburg's Kevin Eberhart/Mike Brito surprised 3-4 seed Fenwick to grab the fourth and final state spot in doubles.

at Stevenson: The host Patriots are well on their way to another sectional title, and it was a complete team effort which gave Stevenson a leg up.

Coach Tom Stanhope's doubles teams had little trouble advancing. Likewise for freshman Zach Kim (20-7), who dominated as the No. 1 seed to move on to meet another freshman, Dylan Er of Barrington.

This rather young group at singles includes sophomore Brian Hackman (25-2) of Wauconda and Bert Cao of Libertyville, who in his first season will join teammates Scott Daluga/Ken Herrmann and Julian Janczak/Hayden Friese at state.

"It's really an amazing feeling to be going to state, but I am so glad that I got these two tough matches out of the way to qualify so I can relax a little tomorrow and just go out and play," said Cao, who will meet his NSC rival Hackman when play resumes at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Vernon Hills Athletic Center.

"I had to wait a little to get back to the tournament, but it was well worth the wait," said Daluga, a senior who along with then-doubles-partner Jack Springgale went 4-2 at the 2014 state tourney.

The Daluga/Herrmann team defeated Lake Zurich's top tandem of Roberto Guagnelli/Joaquin Ganoza (13-7) in its qualifying match, while one court over, Janczak/Friese upended MSL champion Barrington (Cam Holzman/Kyle Shuff) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 to earn their way into the tournament.

"Those two were down 5-3 in the third, got back even, but just couldn't finish it out, but they gave it a great effort, and I am so proud of what they did out there today, and for us this season," said Broncos coach John Roncone.

Er was in control for most of the way en route to his 6-4, 6-1 win over Palatine's classy senior captain David Chon to earn a trip to the tournament.

"David is such a great player and person, but I knew his knee is bothering him, so I wanted to try to move him around and just hit my shots, and with a pretty good serve I was able to beat him today," said the Broncos top player.

"Dylan was the better player today, and although I could use my knee as an excuse, it wouldn't be right or fair to say that," said Chon. "He has really brought his game up a notch during the last three weeks, and all the best to him next week at state."

Benjamin Bush is on his way to a fourth straight state tournament after he and his doubles partner Sam Komis (21-6) dropped just three games in their two matches. Teammates Brian Weiskoff/Matt Harrvey (23-4) were even more impressive on the top half of the bracket, conceding nothing in a pair of 6-0, 6-0 victories.

"This is what we came here to do, now we have to finish strong in order to help get us a better seed at state," said Harvey, now a three-time qualifier.

at Highland Park: All eyes were on this power-packed sectional, and at day's end, every question asked Friday was finally answered.

The top four at singles all held their seeds, with the two of the best around, Vuc Budic (Deerfield, 22-0) and junior Mark Wu (Glenbrook North) easily defending their respective 1-2 seeds. The 3-4 seeds - Jacob Edelchik (Highland Park) and teammate Jeremy Learner - alos advanced.

The host Giants came close to sending every player through, if not for a 7-6, 6-4 doubles defeat against Glenbrook South.

Defending state champion Deerfield (Chris Casati/Niko Wasilewicz) will meet their foe from Glenbrook South at 9 a.m. Saturday at at Danny Cunniff Park, while No. 2 seed Glenbrook North (Austin Klapman/Nick Marino) take on Highland Park's David Aizenberg/Brendan Lew.

Wu (12-1) opened his day with a win over Aiden Burke of Hersey, then Kyle Borst from St. Viator to book his place opposite his CSL rival Edelchik in the semis.

"I was happy to win my first match here so I would have the chance to play one of the best in the state - it's the only way to see how hard I have to work to get better, plus it's great to play someone that good here at the end of the season," said Borst.

Edelchik was part of a very difficult early round of competition at singles, when he played and beat Connor Polender of Lake Forest 6-1, 6-0.

"Both Connor (and Bryce McClanahan, Glenbrook South) are good enough to make it to state at other sectionals, and be seeded as well, so it's tough to see a couple of players like that stay home next weekend instead of playing," said Edelchik.

The Warriors' Budic enjoyed yet another terrific day as he looks to lock up the 1-2 seed for next weekend.

"These last two weeks are what you play all year for, and although it's tough to see very good players not advancing, it's that time of the year when things like that are going to happen," said the Deerfield senior.