Stagg, winds can't blow away York

York's Kelly Barry was focused squarely on making it to today's Round of 16 in the main draw at the state tennis tournament.

That's what gave the Dukes' junior singles player the motivation to stage a dramatic comeback from a 4-1 third-set deficit and defeat Stagg freshman Melissa Kopinski 7-5 on Thursday in windy conditions at Palatine High School.

Also advancing to today's fourth-round matches in the main draw were: singles Hanna Mar and Katie Klein of Hinsdale Central as well as Katie Kargl and Jenny Hois of Downers Grove South; and doubles Courtney Dolehide and Nida Hamilton, and Alex Tapak and Emily Lombardi, both of Hinsdale Central and Amanda Schwartz and Ashlyn Selzer of Glenbard West.

Waubonsie Valley's Bryna Nasenbeny made it as far as the third round before falling to Hois 6-0, 6-1.

In doubles play Wheaton North's Sarah Delk and Meg Bell also got to the third round before running into West Aurora's Shannon Brooks and Lauren Henry, who defeated the Wheaton pair 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

"I just wanted to get to the next round of this tournament," said Barry, who was seeded 5-8. "That's further than I've ever gotten. So when I fell behind in that third set I just got my head straight and figured out what I needed to do. I had to be more consistent and concentrate on getting the ball in."

Kopinski took the first set from Barry 6-3 as both players battled the constant gale-like conditions, especially when they tried to serve into the wind from the north side of the court.

"The wind didn't help because I wasn't accustomed to playing in weather like this," Barry said. "It was distracting. But it really wasn't an advantage for either one of us."

That first-set loss was typical of Barry's day, according to York assistant coach Laura Eck.

"Kelly got a little bit of a late start in all three of her matches today," Eck said. "But she managed to pull it together all three times. In fact after she won the second set (6-3) they took a 10-minute break and she started slowly after the break. It broke her momentum."

Eck believes that Kopinski brought out Barry's best game.

"Melissa really pushed Kelly to play her best," Eck said. "She overcame the conditions and changed her game to hit harder with the wind. She also used a lot more topspin hitting the ball with the wind. Kelly worked really hard to earn that 5-8 seed and to get this far. She just didn't want to lose. I think she played beautifully."

Barry, now that she's survived, believes the third-round match against such a formidable opponent will help her in today's Round of 16.

"I definitely feel relieved," Barry said.

"Melissa is a good player with a nice flat shot and a good forehand. She probably should have been seeded, but for some reason she wasn't," Barry added. "Playing against her today helps me for the next round. I feel prepared for tomorrow."

The two players had faced each other twice before, with each winning one match.

Defending state champion Hinsdale Central leads the team standings with 22 points.