Ferry, Hildebrandt have state on their minds

Last year, sophomore tennis players Lauren Ferry and Dana Hildebrandt made history at South Elgin High School earning a bid to the IHSA state tournament, becoming the first two athletes at the school to ever accomplish such a feat.

Now juniors who will forever be known in the South Elgin memoirs as the first to get to state, Ferry and Hildebrandt will look for another first…the first to make a repeat trip in back-to-back seasons.

Currently filling the No. 1 and No. 2 singles slots respectively, it is uncertain as to whether or not the twosome will rejoin forces for the post-season.

"I am excited, and definitely hoping to repeat what we did last year," said Hildebrandt. "Of course I would love to make it back to state. We got to see a little bit of everything there."

En route to state, Ferry and Hildebrandt competed in the Elgin sectional where they beat Elgin's Rebekah Hegel/Dana Altieri to earn the bid.

"I'm feeling pretty good about our entire team this season," said Ferry. "It is the strongest team we've ever had.

"Yes, I would like to get back to state, but we're going to see how far we get and go from there. There are no really high expectations."

Still, one thing is certain -- Ferry, Hildebrandt and the entire South Elgin roster return to the courts much improved and hungry for success.

"We have a very good team this year," said second-year coach Melissa Tuftedal. "The girls are not as nervous this season, and we have much more depth and experience.

"Lauren and Dana loved state which has all of our other girls very curious and very excited about the possibilities."

Competing at the varsity level as freshmen since South Elgin's inaugural season 3 years ago, the Storm roster boasts all juniors and one sophomore for the 2007 campaign.

In addition to Ferry/Hildebrandt, South Elgin welcomes back experienced juniors Lauren Mehr, Brittany Boelter and Ellen Bohn.

Boelter will partner with St. Charles East transfer Nessa Saengyothinh at No. 1 doubles, while Mehr and Bohn will fill the No. 1 doubles slot.

"Lauren (Mehr) is looking just outstanding," said Tuftedal. "She is just athletic all around. "Lauren (Ferry) is all hustle and determination whose placement and movement of the ball are excellent. Dana is great at attacking and moving up on the net. Her ground strokes are also very solid."

That being said, it is safe to say that what this team might lack senior leadership, they more than make up for with talent.

And now in their third season at the varsity level, they've also learned a thing or two.

"Going to state, we didn't know what to expect," said Hildebrandt. "It was kind of a reality check seeing how much talent is out there.

"Still it was great because people actually paid attention to tennis for a while there. It all went by very fast."

"It's important to have varsity experience," echoed Ferry. "There is a lot of good competition out there."

For South Elgin, that competition will primarily include Upstate Eight opponents, Elgin, Larkin, Bartlett, Streamwood, Lake Park, Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley and both St. Charles North and St. Charles East.

Elgin will be led by seniors Rebekah Hegel (No. 1 singles), Rachel Hegel (No. 1 doubles), Dana Altieri (No. 1 doubles) and sisters Margaret and Claire Hernon (No. 2 doubles).

"We are hoping that everybody will be guaranteed a really good fight," said Elgin coach Larry DeHaan. "That being said, we will let the wins take care of themselves."

Bartlett will be another tough team in the UEC. With eight returning players and a senior heavy roster, the Hawks will threaten with singles players Joanna Ligas (No. 1), Danielle Dinglasan (No. 2) and Courtney Kraft (No. 3) as well as doubles teams Arianne Alvarez/Krystle Zelasco (No. 1 doubles) and Erika Pang/Lindsey Garnett (No. 2 doubles).

The Hawks did win the sectional two years running at Lake Park before moving to the Schaumburg sectional last year.

Streamwood expects to see good seasons out of its No. 1 doubles team of Traci Montgomery and Christine Theobold as well as No. 1 singles player, sophomore Arleen Nguyen. Freshmen Jennifer Mellenthin and Michelle Tomczak could also make a quick impact for the Sabres.

Seniors Natta Senesombath, Aleah Turk and Sam Nanthavong should anchor the Larkin roster. Senesombath/Turk will partner at No. 1 doubles while Nanthavong will play No. 1 singles for the Royals.

"The Upstate Eight is a tough conference," said Larkin coach Robert Young. "It is pretty wide open though. We hope to compete at a high level and challenge everybody."

Perhaps one of the most dominant teams out there, Prairie Ridge will look to steal the Fox Valley Conference title for the fourth consecutive season.

Solid top to bottom, the Wolves welcome back state contender Julie Schwartz (junior) and will also feature freshmen at No. 1 singles and No. 2 singles in Allison Murphy and Carolyn Huerth.

"Prairie Ridge is a heavy favorite to win the conference," said Huntley coach Barry Wells.

Crystal Lake South's Don Nead agrees.

"Prairie Ridge has an excellent group of girls this year. They should handle the Fox Valley Conference quite easily. They put forth the effort and they deserve to be that good."

However, the Wolves might be challenged by South's Jenny Maruyama at No. 1 singles. The senior phenom won a conference title at No. 2 singles last year and is also a 3-time state qualifier in doubles play. The Gators also return sophomore Stephanie Brunetti (No. 2 singles), and welcome freshman Abey Kolarczyk to their attack.

Jacobs is another team that could give Prairie Ridge some trouble. Returning state talent in Annie Smith, Jen Ruther and Marlene Aleksiejczyk, the Golden Eagles might find themselves bidding for a conference title as well as state accolades in the end.

"We have some very experienced singles players with a lot of success thus far so we expect to see a lot of good things from them," said Jacobs coach Jon Betts.

"As for the conference, Prairie Ridge should be untouchable. They are incredible all through the line-up.

"It's hard to go to the courts out here without seeing at least one of those girls practicing. They work very hard."

Betts is also excited to see what his doubles teams will do in the weeks ahead. Led by juniors Heather Graham, Kellie Stoka and senior Kelley Lippner, Betts says hard work in the off-season should create some opportunities for them as well.

"By the end, we hope to be competing at the top levels in every flight," Betts said.

Dundee-Crown will counter with state qualifiers Stephanie Zundyl (No. 1 singles) and Kim Miller (No. 1 doubles) as well as Maria Ballester (No. 1 doubles) and newcomer Ale Ballester (freshman/No. 2 singles).

"We are hoping to finish higher in the conference, and would like to see some success from our veterans," said D-C coach Janet Malacek.

In his 33rd season with the girls, coach Bud Lachel's Cary-Grove roster is led by senior talents Courtney Koepke, Susanne Johnson, Amanda Listak and Megan Resseguie.

Outside of the Upstate Eight and Fox Valley Conferences, keep an eye on Elgin Academy leader Brittany Boyle, a 3-time state qualifier looking to be strong in her senior campaign.

"Brittany is already the best tennis player in the history of Elgin Academy," said Hilltopper coach Greg Repede. "We expect she will return to state, but either way she has already accomplished so much."

Boyle went 3-2 at the state competition last season, and is highly anticipating her senior year. She will be joined by seniors Marysia Watson, Erica Ovington, Anita Kakvand, Amy Alvine and Hanna Khemani.

Under the guidance of new coach Liz Wilmes, St. Edward will look for success from Alyssa Abbate (senior), Tina Wahl (junior) Angie Cortez (junior) and newcomers Allison and Colleen Knott to name a few.