MSL hopefuls still chasing Barrington

Barrington has been on Buffalo Grove senior Megan Crompton's mind ever since the tennis season began.

With seven returnees from last year's Mid-Suburban League East division-title winning team and with the addition of a talented freshman, the Bison and Crompton are out to at least cause the Fillies some turbulence.

And if Barrington does roll to another conference title? Crompton isn't going to worry too much about it.

"There's not really any pressure," Crompton said. "Everyone assumes Barrington is going to win. If we lose, no sweat."

Barrington is assumed to win another MSL championship and make another run at a state championship. Fillies coach Tracy Waters returns state-qualifiers Kelsey Linden, Alli Linden, Meg Crowley and Dana Pierce from last year's team that finished sixth at state.

She also brings back Amanda Schnack, Jenny Schnack and Sonam Jaglan from her conference lineup. Finally, she also adds her own stud freshman in Kristy Dodge.

Dodge will either player No. 1 singles or will team up with Kelsey Linden at No. 1 doubles. Dodge and Linden could be a state championship together. They recently took last year's state doubles champion to three sets and lost in a tiebreaker.

"I certainly think they have the potential to be a strong team," Waters said. "I think they're a good team.

"Kelsey can do both. She's just so tough at doubles. … Kristy's tournament tough. She's coming in very strong. She's adapted very well as a freshman into our team mode. She's a good player. She's a nice addition to the team."

In the East, Buffalo Grove is the clear-cut favorite. With some of the usual suspects down in the East and the Bison as strong as ever, Buffalo Grove isn't getting ahead of itself by thinking about Barrington.

The Bison return all three of singles players from last year. Senior Jen Immen, who qualified for state last season, will again the hold the No. 1 spot. Crompton and senior Emily Wieland also are back.

At doubles, sophomore Ashton and Heather Nisbet moved up a spot to No. 1, but have proved they're capable by starting off the season 7-1. Freshman Nell Boyd will be a player to watch in years to come and should be able to contribute on varsity this season.

"I think we're better than last year," Buffalo Grove coach Kevin Schrammel said. "I think we're better at all positions. Barrington is always tough. They're always the team to beat."

While Barrington may still be the best team, Fremd still possesses the best singles player. Junior Jenna Langhorst made her second appearance at state last season. Although she improved on her top-12 finish as a freshman by taking ninth place as a sophomore, Langhorst was disappointed in herself.

From the end of last season in October to the start of this one, she dedicated her off-season to taking that next step in her game. Early indications show she has. With a stronger second serve and with better play around the net, Langhorst should be able to compete with the state's top tier.

"I could tell some of the people in the top four at state last year had some aspects of the game I didn't," Langhorst said. "I just kept improving over the off-season. I wanted to keep getting better."

As a team, Fremd appears to be in a rebuilding season in the West. Conant coach Jennifer Mogge also thought her squad was headed in that direction. She had given birth to a child over the summer and had spent little time with her team.

That coupled with youth and inexperience, Mogge assumed a bumpy season. But through the season's first weeks, the Cougars have surprised her. With its depth and talent, Conant could make a run at second place in the division

In the East, Prospect also has had to deal with a number of graduates, including No. 1 singles state-qualifier Lindsay Gibbel and double state-qualifier Erin Stake. Amy Varner did return as part of that doubles team and is now paired up with Becky Santiago. Sophomore Annie Duggan has replaced Gibbel at No. 1 singles.

Rolling Meadows lost all of its singles players from last season. Jenny Velasquez, who qualified for state in doubles, is back for her third year on varsity and may see action in singles and doubles. The Mustangs should be in the hunt.

With the retirement of Julie Fischer, Dan Tripamer, who coaches the boys team, took over the girls program at St. Viator. He inherited returning No. 1 singles player junior Jackie Marx, who went to state as a sophomore, and Caitlin Alden, who made it to state in doubles.

With the graduation of Sasha Blaney, her doubles partner, Alden moved to No. 2 singles this season. Although she's made a smooth transition to singles -- she's started off 5-0 -- she does miss playing with her long-time partner.

"There's no one to talk to anymore," she said. "It's really weird not playing with her."

In the Central Suburban, Maine West hopes to bounce back from a rough rebuilding season. Last year marked the first time in four seasons that the Warriors didn't qualify someone for state. Sophomore Jenna Franke may be able to start a new streak for Maine West. She led the team in match victories last season as a freshman.

Girls tennis at a glance

Top players: Barrington's Meg Crowley, Kristy Dodge, Dana Pierce, Alli Linden, Kelsey Linden; Buffalo Grove's Jen Immen, Ashton Nisbet, Heather Nisbet; Fremd's Jenna Langhorst; Maine West's Jenna Franke; Prospect's Becky Santiago, Amy Varner; Rolling Meadows' Jenny Velasquez; Viator's Caitlin Alden, Jackie Marx.

Best meets: Barrington at Conant, Sept. 11; Barrington at Fremd, Sept. 18; Fremd at Palatine, Sept. 20; Prospect at Buffalo Grove, Sept. 20; Conant at Hoffman Estates, Sept. 25; Buffalo Grove at Rolling Meadows, Sept. 25; Deerfield at Maine West, Sept. 26; Nazareth at St. Viator, Sept. 27

You want answers?

Q. Can anyone beat Barrington?

A. Buffalo Grove is the only team with a realistic chance this year. Even though the Bison are the class of the East and are talented, Barrington is likely to win another MSL title.

Q. Is Jenna Langhorst a state-title contender?

A. Langhorst has improved. She should end up better than her ninth-place finish last season, but will be a dark horse to win the state title. The state's top-three finishers last season were all underclassmen.

Q. Who will be the next stars of the MSL?

A. Barrington freshman Kristy Dodge and Buffalo Grove freshman Nell Boyd could be a rivalry in the making. They may not face each other this season, but both have the potential to be No. 1 singles for the majority of their high school careers. Watch for both to make multiple trips to the state tournament.

-- Scott J. Powers