North Stars aiming for long stay at state

This year's class of qualifiers for the boys state tennis tournament features a mix of young players hoping to make a name for themselves, and seniors determined to go out with a few more memories in their scrapbooks.

In all, three doubles teams and two singles players representing four different area schools survived tough sectional matches to make it through to state. That's a pretty good showing in a season that saw a lot of new faces, as well as a few familiar ones, stepping into new roles.

Over the next couple of days, they will face a grueling series of matches in the tournament's double elimination format.

Here's a closer look at each area team headed to state.

St. Charles North

Singles: John Mittvick (fr.)

First-round opponent: Kory Poland (jr.) Effingham

Doubles: David Johnson (so.) and Christian Hoskey (so.)

First-round opponents: John Kay (so.) and Jamie Schultz (sr.) St. Anthony

The North Stars won their second straight sectional crown, thanks in part to Johnson and Hoskey. The sophomore duo won the doubles title, and appear poised to make a strong run. Johnson will be returning to familiar territory after playing four matches at state a year ago.

Mittvick experienced his share of success during an impressive freshman season. It's always difficult to gauge how well a player will do on his first trip to the state tournament, but St. Charles North coach Tim Matacio believes Mittvick has already achieved his major goals.

"John's goal was to qualify so that he would have a chance to see what he needs to do to take the next step," Matacio said.

Both of St. Charles North's qualifiers will open against unknown and unseeded opponents from schools in downstate Effingham.

"We would've liked to have had our doubles team get seeded," Matacio said. "But when you look at how the seeds came out it's hard to argue with who did get the seeds, and we're pleased with how it all turned out. We have a realistic expectation of winning both of our matches in the first round."

Geneva

Doubles: Pat Coveny (sr.) and Wes Kappel (jr.)

First-round opponents: Josh Berman (sr.) and Tyler Manci (sr.) Highland Park

Coveny and Kappel were part of a Geneva team that pulled off its share of surprises. Like many of their fellow Vikings, the doubles partners showed significant improvement that led to their qualifying for state and finishing third at sectionals.

But the high from that achievement may have subsided when the brackets were announced and the Viking duo drew the No. 2 seed in the state.

"They know it's going to be very difficult, but they won't be nervous," Geneva coach Doug Ross said.

Challenging first-round matches can have a way launching the losing team to an extended stay at state. After all, they will have already played the toughest team they will see in the tournament.

"They'll stay loose and look to go for their shots," Ross said. "When they do that, they're capable of being a very good team."

Marmion

Singles: Tom Weiler (sr.)

First-round opponent: Max Vest (sr.) Marquette

Weiler stepped into Marmion's top singles role when the spot opened up unexpectedly, and then went out and exceeded expectations.

The senior's determined, and gutsy style earned him a 14-4 record and his first trip to the state tournament.

"I improved a lot this season, both physically and mentally," Weiler said. "I learned how to stay in close matches, and how to win them. I know I'm a much better player than I was a year ago."

Though Weiler has never seen a state tournament match, Cadets coach Pat Maurer is not too concerned about his player's lack of experience.

"Tom is playing the best tennis I've seen him play," Maurer said. "He's a very good, smart player, and I know he'll go out there and do as well as he can."

St. Charles East

Doubles: Sam Gunther (sr.) and Kirk Nelson (sr.)

First-round opponents: Quinn Miller (sr.) and David Ruedi (jr.) Champaign Centennial

Gunther and Nelson turned a rough and unsteady start to their senior season into a 20-9 record and a trip to state. It's the second in a row for Gunther and the first for Nelson.

"It's going to come down to each of them reaching deep down inside and coming up with a way of supporting each other," St. Charles East coach Sena Drawer said.

But the seeding draw did them no favor. The Saints duo will open against a 9-16 seed. Though she is unfamiliar with the duo from Champaign, Drawer has no doubt that the Saints' first-round opponents are seeded where they belong.

"It's going to be tough, no doubt about it," Drawer said. "Sam and Kirk have improved throughout the season and become a solid team. They have very different personalities on the court, but they've figured out how to come together and be successful."