Dudley, Lopez net big gains for Lakes

Lakes juniors Jeanna Dudley and Elisa Lopez have been friends since fourth grade.

In the hundreds of conversations they had over the years, the topic of tennis never came up.

Prior to high school, that is.

"Freshman year was the first time we picked up a racquet," Lopez said.

Talk about your quick progression.

Dudley and Lopez (16-9), who began last year at No. 3 doubles, were the first players from Lakes to qualify for the state tournament. They placed fourth at the Lakes sectional and begin state-tournament play today.

"It will be exciting to see what we can do," Dudley said.

Other area doubles teams to qualify were Warren's Allison Strakusek and Taylor Ackerman, Mundelein's Karlie Alms and Paige Paroloa and Stevenson's Alexis Karigan and Lindsey Hahn.

The singles qualifiers were Mundelein's Hanne MacDonald and Lake Zurich's Ingrid Brauer.

Lakes coach Bryan Plinske likes how quickly his top doubles team can make adjustments. That's why he was comfortable telling them to serve and volley for the first time all match Friday in the decisive game against a Johnsburg team.

"You explain something to them and they pick it up right away," he said. "They've had a heck of a run."

Dudley and Lopez excel on the tennis court even though they are not year-round players. Dudley's main sport is ice hockey and she also plays softball. Lopez is a softball player as well.

There's no mistaking Dudley's passion for hockey.

"I've been playing it for years," she said. "It's the best game on earth."

Not surprisingly, Dudley's favorite part of tennis is being aggressive at the net. Lopez can be counted on for her consistent all-around play.

"If I'm down, (Elisa) always stays confident and positive," Dudley said. "She brings me back up. We communicate really well with each other."

Having Dudley and Lopez play in the state tournament is a significant breakthrough for Lakes tennis.

"This is a huge accomplishment," Plinske said. "They'll get to experience the history and tradition of the state tournament. The (whole) team will get a sense of that and bring it into next year."