Carmel's making strides

No matter how a tennis match is going, partners Jen Lee and Kristina Eilers stay upbeat.

Lee, a senior, and Eilers, a sophomore, make up Carmel's rapidly improving No. 1 doubles team.

"They keep each other pumped up all the time, and they communicate as well as any team I've had," Carmel coach Nancy Fehn said.

Lee and Eilers had a lot to smile about Saturday. They went 4-0 to take first place at the Lakes Tournament.

"We never put each other down," Lee said. "We always encourage each other even when we make a mistake."

Lee and Eilers helped Carmel place second in the tourney. Juniors Lauren Aguilar and Michelle Kunkler, who play No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively, each finished in second place.

Lee and Eilers (16-9, 5-3 East Suburban Catholic) have played at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. As the season has progressed, they have established themselves as Carmel's top team.

Their record does not fully reflect how well they have played of late. In addition to their title Saturday, they recently defeated Warren's top doubles team in three sets. The Blue Devils' Taylor Ackerman and Allison Strakusek were state qualifiers last year.

"Other than finishing first Saturday, that was our most significant victory," Lee said. "That match was a roller coaster and it showed us we could get through any obstacles."

Eilers played on the junior varsity last year but made big improvement in the off-season.

"It was really good that we were paired together," she said. "I (handle) a lot of the lobs and overheads, and Jen does a lot of the volleys. She can end a point really fast."

While no one was sure how well Lee and Eilers would play this season, Aguilar and Kunkler were known quantities. They have starred for Carmel since they were freshmen, and their games continue to evolve.

Aguilar (15-10, 6-2) has added pace while becoming more consistent.

"She's hitting a harder ball and setting up points well," Fehn said. "She knows how to play."

Aguilar said it was quite a challenge to play four matches Saturday.

"I don't think I've ever done that in one day," she said. "I tried to finish off my points faster because it was really tiring."

Fehn said Kunkler has a great mental approach.

"She has great concentration and is always calm," Fehn said. "She really knows what she has to do."

Kunkler (20-5) had been pleasantly surprised by her 7-1 conference record.

"I'm going for more on my serve," she said. "That's (helped) me on critical points."