Terada, Walters show what they can do
The magical season for Naperville North's doubles team of Matt Walters and Yasufumi Terada just keeps getting bigger and better.
The Huskies duo, partners for the first time this season, won three matches at the state tournament Thursday to qualify for today's Sweet Sixteen.
"This is unbelievable," Walters said. "All the matches have been big challenges, but each win is good for our confidence. We really proved out there today that we're a team."
In the first round the Huskies, who were seeded 9-16, defeated a pair from Teutopolis 6-0, 6-1 and followed that with a win over Chicago Latin 6-5, 6-3.
In the third round Walters and Terada survived set point in the first set when they were down 5-4 to Bobber Nelson and Mitch Osborne of Crystal Lake Central and went on to win 7-5, 6-4.
"It was really exciting today," said Terada, who is playing doubles for the first time this season. "I didn't feel nervous. At the beginning of the season, we thought we might be able to play with anyone in the state. Today we felt it."
The strengths they've been displaying throughout the season, Terada's solid serving and Walters' aggressive play at the net, were on display in all three matches.
"Today they earned their seed," said Naperville North coach Heather Henricksen. "They're out to prove that they're the real deal. And they're getting better. All this experience is helping them build confidence and an understanding of the game."
Walters and Terada have a big task ahead of them today when they face the No. 2-seeded team in the state, Josh Berman and Tyler Manci of Highland Park, in the round of 16.
"It's important that Matt and Fumi not be intimidated tomorrow," Henricksen said. "How they do will depend on how they can handle the pressure. They have to continue playing the game they've been playing."
"We think we can take them out," Walters said.
Tim Martin and Mark Angel of Benet also qualified for Friday's Sweet Sixteen, as did Rahul Kamath and Brian Sorich of Downers Grove South.
Defending champion Hinsdale Central, which is tied with Stevenson for the lead in the team standings with 24 points, put its entire team through in the championship bracket -- doubles Dan Ballantine and Ian Tesmond, and Josh Sink and Paul Cooper, as well as singles Augie Bloom and Krishna Ravella.
Kyle Dawson of St. Francis, who suffered a muscle injury in his hip in the finals of last Saturday's Naperville North sectional finals, looked strong in winning his first two matches but then reinjured the hip when leading 4-3 in his third-round match against 5-8 seed Mac McAnulty of Chicago Latin.
McAnulty went on to win 6-4, 6-3.
"I wasn't 100 percent since last Saturday," Dawson said. "But it felt good enough to play on it. Certain shots didn't hurt at all and some did."
Dawson said that when he was balanced with both feet under him the injury felt fine.
"It was on running shots that I had to reach a little bit or lunge for the ball, where it kind of hurt," Dawson said. "When I was leading I was hitting out on all my shots. Then I got timid and started slicing. Mac is big and strong and he has a big serve and forehand."
Though Dawson plans to continue in the consolation bracket today, St. Francis coach Marcia Bussey said the injury will be evaluated in the morning before he's given clearance to play.