Girls tennis: Scouting northwest sectional meets
Girls tennis
Sectional scouting report
ROLLING MEADOWS
Where: Rolling Meadows High School
When: Friday and Saturday
Outlook: Barrington begins its push for another top-10 finish in the state here. The doubles team of senior Kelsey Linden and freshman Kristy Dodge has a realistic shot at a state title and will be the favorite in sectionals. As a sophomore, Linden won the doubles state championship while being paired with Whitney Martin. The Fillies also hope to advance to state Alli Linden and Meg Crowley in singles and the doubles team of Dana Pierce and Sonam Jaglan. St. Viator singles players Jackie Marx and Caitlin Alden both have a shot at advancing. Marx qualified for state last year as a sophomore in singles while Alden made it in doubles. Rolling Meadows' Jenny Velasquez and Mary Clare Loughery and Prospect's Amy Varner and Becky Santiago are also potential doubles state qualifiers. In singles, the final spot or two could fall to a number of players.
What they're saying:
"Kristy's so consistent and can set up Kelsey. Kelsey's so good at the net. They complement each other's games." -- Barrington coach Tracy Waters on her No. 1 doubles team
"She's got a lot of energy. She's always ready to play. It helps me. It helps me to get excited." -- Barrington's Kelsey Linden, referring to teammate Kristy Dodge
"A lot of our players are playing well right now. I hope we can get a few through to state." -- Prospect coach Karie McClure
STEVENSON
Where: Stevenson High School
When: Friday and Saturday
Outlook: Deerfield isn't as deep as it was last year when the Warriors finished second in state, but they're still tough. Buffalo Grove should give Deerfield some competition with its depth. Freshman Nell Boyd and senior Jen Immen both could qualify for state. The doubles team of twins Ashton and Heather Nisbet should also be in the mix. Overall in singles, Fremd's Jenna Langhorst will be the favorite. Langhorst has placed high at state the last two years. Palatine's Ann Wedell and Katie Ryba also have the potential to reach state.
What they're saying:
"I have one goal down. Two more to go. I want to win sectionals and finish in the top eight at state." -- Fremd's Jenna Langhorst
"They're very capable of playing at that level. We need to do it more often." -- Buffalo Grove coach Kevin Schrammel on his No. 1 doubles team
MAINE SOUTH
Maine West's Colleen Vana and Jenna Franke will be among the doubles teams with a shot at reaching state. Vana and Franke went 13-6 during the regular season and saw a lot of high-level competition in the Central Suburban League.
-- Scott J. Powers