Scouting the Fox Valley area's girls badminton teams
Bartlett Hawks
Coach: Eric Ilich (3rd season)
Last season's record: 2-12
Conference: Upstate Eight
Top returning athletes: Senior: Charmi Patel (doubles); Juniors: Christy Urgena (singles), Anooja Rangnekar (singles), Jenna Bujarski (singles)
Top newcomers: Team is all returning athletes. Bartlett lost no seniors.
Outlook: The Bartlett program started from scratch just two years ago and is looking to build the program in the months ahead. With a lot of experience, head coach Eric Ilich feels that the Hawks definitely have a group of girls that will build momentum for a young program. "We have a lot of girls that work hard here," Ilich said. "They are eager to work hard, they improve on a daily basis and they have learned a lot." Competing in a tough conference, the Upstate Eight, Ilich hopes to see improvements from week to week. "We can get a lot from our competition," he said. "Neuqua Valley, East Aurora and Lake Park each roster excellent teams." One strength this year will be the fact that this group is experienced and they have certainly taken their share of lumps and been around the block. "These girls are talented enough to be successful," Ilich said. "We just need to start developing confidence."
Elgin Maroons
Coach: Laura Sandine (2nd season)
Last season's record: 0-14, 0-7
Conference: Upstate Eight
Top returning athletes: Junior: Jennifer Medrano
Top newcomers: Sophomores: Jemilah Brunkalla, Jennifer Berry; Freshmen: Amanda Atkinson, Vanessa Jaimes, Ashley Petty, Lucia Jasso
Outlook: Elgin takes the court as a very young team with junior Jennifer Medrano representing the lone returning varsity player. "We have mostly freshmen which means inexperience, but I think that we can grow as a program," said coach Laura Sandine. "The girls are excited and we have a great group. I expect to have a lot of fun, but we will work very hard." Looking to start from the ground floor and build up, Sandine has had the help of many coaches in the Upstate Eight. "The coaches in the Upstate Eight have been very nice and extremely helpful," she said. "It is nice to get input from them because the Upstate Eight represents some very strong teams and programs including Neuqua, Lake Park and East Aurora." Medrano will work as a team leader so expect the Maroons to grow as a team as the season progresses.
Larkin Royals
Coach: Brian Przybylski (8th season 36-36)
Last season's record: 8-5, 7-3
Conference: Upstate Eight
Top returning athletes: Seniors: Emily Sothikhoun (19-11), Natta Senesombath (14-7), Bonnie Bielarz (18-6), Lindsay Iverson; Junior: Marybeth Flores
Top newcomers: Junior: Babel Barm; Sophomore: Amanda Somoulaylack; Others: Catherine Sivoraphet, Rebecca Yarmouth
Outlook: Larkin returns to the badminton court driven by strong singles play at the top. Emily Sothikhoun is back to lead the way with 67 career wins and a third place overall finish at No. 2 singles in the Upstate Eight Conference last year. Natta Senesombath finished second overall in UEC action, and Bonnie Bielarz returns for her senior campaign with 63 career wins and another 3rd place conclusion in the UEC last year. Also back are doubles specialist Lindsay Iverson and Marybeth Flores who came on very strong at the end of last year. "This season will rely on how well our top newcomers play early in the season," said coach Brian Przybylski. "It depends on what we bring to the court each day." Larkin will open against four of the most difficult Upstate Eight opponents in Waubonsie Valley, Neuqua Valley, Lake Park and East Aurora.
South Elgin Storm
Coach: Melissa Tuftedal (2nd season)
Last season's record: 3-11, 1-9
Conference: Upstate Eight
Top returning athletes: Juniors: Lauren Mehr, Kathleen McCrindle, Katlin Krelerfield, Rebecca Lopez, Rachael Westra, Ellen Bohn, Sam Yohnk, Anokhi Shah
Top newcomers: Sophomores: Autumn Ceschin, Kirin Singh
Outlook: Despite the youth of the South Elgin program, which has competed at the varsity level for just two seasons, morale and aspirations are high for the Storm in the upcoming months. Having lost nobody from last year's roster, South Elgin anticipates a solid showing. "All of our girls are returning players," said coach Melissa Tuftedal. "Autumn played on JV last year, but stepped up to the varsity level when we need her. Kirin also has JV and a bit of varsity experience." The Storm are extremely pleased to return state contender Lauren Mehr who brought an 18-9 mark with her to the tournament last year. Now a year older and wiser, Merh will look to repeat. "Our goals are to continue to strengthen our fundamentals of badminton and continue to grow as a team," said Tuftedal. "We would also like to get more girls to state this year."
Editor's note: Streamwood did not return numerous calls for this preview.