Short-handed Red Devils win easily

With sophomore sensation Augie Bloom away at the prestigious Easter Bowl and top doubles player Dan Ballantine still on the mend from a bout of appendicitis, defending state boys tennis champion Hinsdale Central traveled north Saturday to test some of the best the Mid-Suburban League has to offer.

The Red Devils conquered them all -- including Buffalo Grove 7-0 in the championship match -- to capture the team title of the annual Huskie Invite hosted by Hersey.

Veteran coach Jay Kramer, who celebrated his 40th year at the helm last spring with his 14th state title, watched the short-handed Red Devils defeat MSL favorite Prospect 5-2 in their opener, then beat Fremd 6-1 before sweeping all seven flights over Buffalo Grove in the final.

"We're missing a couple of key guys in Augie and Dan, and a potential starter at singles, but it's nice to get three matches in today on a great day for tennis," said Kramer, whose Red Devils, Stevenson, and Oak Park-River Forest, are considered perhaps the top three teams in the state this season.

The most anticipated match of the day came when Hinsdale Central sophomore, and state qualifier Krishna Ravella met Bison senior Jonah Schwartz.

Schwartz is back with Buffalo Grove after spending the past two seasons away from high school tennis, playing on the circuit to improve his game and USTA ranking.

Schwartz, who was an MSL champion at No. 2 singles as a freshman, began fast against the steady Ravella going up 3-0 in the first set.

But he soon found himself even at 3-3 before falling 6-3.

It was more of the same in the second set. Although the Emory College (Georgia)-bound Schwartz showed signs of life to get within 4-2 on a well-placed lob, Ravella won in straight sets after a 6-2 victory.

"Two years ago (Jonah) beat me 2-and-0 at a tournament, so I was anxious to see where the both of us were at today in our progress," said Ravella, who was eliminated by Glenbrook South sophomore Michael Moore in the consolation quarterfinals after going 5-2.

"This season I think I've added a lot more topspin (and depth) to my return shots and I feel more confident after a pretty solid freshmen year."

"I just wasn't consistent," Schwartz said "I am going to have to go back this week and work a little harder and try to correct a few things and get myself ready for our next weekend tournament."

Prospect ran over both Freeport and Glenbard West by identical 6-1 results after dropping its opener to Hinsdale Central.