Boys tennis: Andersen, Warren making gains

The points he earned last spring ultimately helped clinch a sectional title for the Warren boys tennis team.

But it was kind of bittersweet, because Devil senior Jacob Andersen just missed qualifying individually for the state meet.

"I really wanted that last year (to qualify). I was one match away. But that's OK. I'm doing a lot better this year," said Andersen, who last spring was rightfully encouraged by his teammates to go up and accept that sectional hardware.

"My ultimate goal is to try and get a good seed and be one of those top players," Andersen said. "I made some mistakes early today but slowed it down and started taking it one point at a time."

Winning big matches along the way certainly helps with that seeding as Andersen's 6-3, 6-4 victory over senior Alvin Phan at No. 2 singles helped clinch a 5-2 North Suburban Conference dual meet victory over host Lake Zurich on Tuesday afternoon.

"It's nice to see him get a big win," said Devil coach Greg Cohen, whose guys improved to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the NSC. "He's one of the hardest working kids and his match clinched it for us today."

Andersen's win also helped Warren sweep singles action.

At No. 1, sophomore Cecil Mella outlasted senior Roberto Guagnelli 6-4, 6-3, while fellow sophomore Nihad Mokkath upended Lake Zurich junior Sam Lueng 6-1, 6-3.

Cohen said Mokkath has been "super consistent" and his victory at No. 3 singles last week gave Warren a huge 4-3 victory over Libertyville.

Meanwhile, at No. 1 doubles, Warren junior Stefan Radovic and senior Caleb Gudeman cruised past Bears senior Noah Sung and sophomore Adrian Ganoza 6-1, 6-4.

The No. 2 team of senior vocal leader Eric Grosskopf and junior Sebastian Castanos then made quick work of Lake Zurich senior Eli Steuer and junior Matt Edkins 6-1, 6-2.

Lake Zurich, which fell to 3-3 overall in duals and 1-1 in the conference, always plays tight matches with Warren and picked up two victories in the final doubles matches of the afternoon.

At No. 4 doubles, senior Zane Chung and junior Connor Trebac lost the first set 6-0 to Warren juniors Clark Anderson and Zach Schifert, but came back to win the match after winning the second and third sets 6-2, 6-4.

Then at No. 3 doubles, seniors Phil Neff and Justin Shah were locked in a barnburner with Devils junior Tim Stirrat and sophomore Alex Kuscsik before coming away with a 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 victory.

"We've had our ups and downs, but we have a lot of experience back," said Lake Zurich first-year coach Andrew McCurley, who coached JV tennis at Notre Dame College Prep for five years prior to coming to Lake Zurich.

Seniors Jim Weimer and Ryan Kim were under the weather but Chung and Lueng filled in admirably in their absence.

"It's nice to have that versatility where guys can step in anytime and make an impact," said McCurley. "

"We have great leadership. Our two captains (Guagnelli and Phan) just jump right in and lead."