Jacobs' family ready to make more memories

For the Jacobs girls tennis program, the family that stays together, plays together.

As coach Jon Betts enters his fourth season as head coach of the girls team, a look back at the six solid seniors beside him can be a bit sentimental.

"This is the first group I have coached freshman through senior year," said Betts. "I look at Heather (Graham) for example, and think about the fact that she started the same day I did."

That being said, they've all come a long way in four years.

And you better believe that for each of these senior Golden Eagles - Jen Ruther, Kellie Stoka, Graham, Melissa Blunk, Aimee Neilan and Sarah Powers - the sky is the limit.

Following a 13-3 overall finish last year, the Golden Eagles soared through the Larkin sectional sweeping both singles and doubles flights.

At No. 2 singles as a junior, Ruther became a two-time state qualifier last year. Half of a conference championship doubles team (No. 4 doubles) her freshman year, Ruther is a two-time runner up in the Fox Valley Conference at No. 2 singles who will make the move to No. 1 singles this season.

"This is something that Jen has been working for her whole high school career," said Betts. "She has waited for this opportunity, and I know that she will put everything she has into it.

"She will play for every point."

A 4-year varsity player, the upgrade doesn't phase the phenom in the least.

"For me it's just another day at the office," said Ruther of the move to the No. 1 slot. "I get to play better people. I love it. It is a rare opportunity, and the great thing about it is that it's not supposed to be easy."

Always excited to play tennis, Ruther is equally thrilled with the talent around her.

"This year, I'm trying to focus on bringing my team up to the level of play that they are capable of," she said. "They have so much potential, I'd like to try to bring that out in them.

"I don't know how, but I am going to try."

Much of that surrouding support will come in the form of doubles teams Stoka/Graham (No. 1) and Neilan/Powers at No. 2.

The Stoka-Graham tandem earned a state berth last year, and as co-captains this year, they will look to return.

"Kellie and I definitely want to get back to state," said Graham. "It is such an amazing experience. Kelly and I are determined to do it again this year.

"This is my fourth year on the team and what is great about this team is that we have a lot of potential, matched with a lof of spirit and togetherness."

Betts is happy to have that mentality to go along with a much more balanced lineup.

"In years past, we've been a singles heavy lineup," said Betts. "This year, we have very solid singles players, but our doubles teams will also contend for titles both in the Fox Valley and in the post-season."

Taking the place of Ruther at No. 2 singles will be Blunk, while newcomer Lindsey Gardeck (sophomore) will play No. 3 singles. Senior Sam Thomas also joins the roster and will anchor the No. 3 doubles team.

"I'm thrilled with what I see all-around this year," said Betts. "Being senior heavy, a lot of these girls want to make the most of this opportunity. It is their turn and they are all ready for it. We're not taking this year for granted and that is already showing on the court."

Around the area

FVC: Fox Valley Conference 2007 runners-up, Crystal Lake South welcomes back a bevy of talent to the tennis courts hoping to continue success in the weeks ahead. Finishing last year's campaign 14-2 overall and 10-1 in the Fox Valley, the Gators swing back into action led by senior returns Maryann Piel (doubles), Liana Semchuk (doubles) and state qualifier Laura Roesslein (doubles).

Slated to play singles for South are returning juniors Rachel Boorom, Stephanie Brunetti and Abbey Kolarczyk.

"We have a very balanced team including four or five excellent singles players," said 13-year head coach Don Nead.

Already, the Gators have captured a tournament title recently winning the Schaumburg Tournament to open the season among eight teams competing.

"Our returns are definitely improved," said Nead. "They worked hard during the off season and are better players for it. Laura, of course is looking to get back to state. Every good player wants that."

While South did say goodbye to 4-year starter and 4-year state qualifier Jenny Maruyama, Nead expects newcomers Kelsey Harper (doubles), Ariel Stach (doubles), Jaclyn Teasdale (doubles), Krystal Reuter (singles/doubles) and Brittany Pittas (doubles) to step up and fill the void.

"We will be competitive," Nead said. "I'm pleased with the work ethic here, and expect continual progress up and down the line-up."

Also competing in the Fox Valley, Huntley will look to excel from a 10th place finish last year to a front-runner position in the upcoming weeks.

With nine seniors, including Heather Nieman (No. 1 singles) and the No. 2 doubles team of Nikki Barrett and Kathleen Chalas returning, 4-year coach Barry Wells sees a ton of potential for growth.

"This is the best team we've ever had at Huntley," said Wells. "We have a balanced line-up, and we have never had this kind of depth in years past."

The Red Raiders also debut freshman hockey player Jordan Anderson, who will fill the No. 2 singles slot at Huntley in her inaugural campaign.

"Jordan is just an all around great athlete," said Wells. "She will help this team out a lot."

Wells looks to lead his team to a stronger finish in the Fox Valley while helping the girls play the best tennis that they can.

As Dundee-Crown head coach Janet Malecek takes the girls program under her wing for the 11th straight season, she expects quality tennis from the Charger line-up. Collecting fifth overall last year in the FVC, Malecek hopes to move up a notch in 2008.

Just a sophomore, No. 1 singles player Ale Ballester is back stronger than ever looking to contend in a very difficult slot.

"Number one singles isn't an easy fight in the Fox Valley, but Ale looks very strong," said Malecek. "She practiced a ton in the off-season."

Seniors Lindsay Drotos, Bridget Kennelly and Ali Warner are also back and will each more than likely play both singles and doubles throughout the season. A new face to watch will be senior Cassie Heredia at both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles.

"You will see these names a lot," said Malecek. "A big strength with this group is that they are all very versatile. We will have quite an array of lineups."

Bud Lachel is back for season No. 34 to lead Cary-Grove, which completed last season 14-10 overall and sixth in the Fox Valley Conference at 5-6. Lachel's career tally sits at 445-200, and while he admits winning will be a challenge, he feels that the Trojans have the talent.

Seniors Rachel Kuchta, Meghan Wleklinski, Erin Aiello, Hayley Prihoda, Katie Etters and Anna Kennedy will each get a shot to close out their high school careers on a high note. Notable additions Rachel Taddy (junior) and Beth Hughes (freshman) will fill in at No. 2 and No. 1 singles respectively.

"We will have better than average doubles teams this year," said Lachel. "We'll look for a strong singles player because singles is extremely tough in the Fox Valley. " While positions might alter throughout the year, Lachel hopes to find his group among the Top-3 in the Fox Valley when all is said and done. "We've worked hard on consistency," he said. "It will be a great year for us whether we win or lose, but our girls are looking forward to the challenges."

UEC: The Upstate Eight Conference should have a new look in 2008 as those teams which brought up the rear last-season will look to climb the ladder in the rankings.

Despite rostering no seniors in 2007, South Elgin placed a very respectable fifth overall in UEC action and welcomes back everybody from that team.

Leading the way will be the No. 1 doubles tandem of Lauren Ferry and Dana Hildebrandt. The twosome made a trip to state as sophomores and will look to close out their high school careers with a return. Joining them at doubles will be Brittany Boelter/Nessa Saengyothinh (No. 2 dubs), Meagan Diede/Brittany Quindel (No. 3 dubs) and Lauren Andres/Nicole DeSmidt (No. 4 dubs).

"These girls have been together for four years now," said coach Melissa Tuftedal. "We have a very unified group which will bode well for us."

Senior Lauren Mehr will play No. 1 singles and Kristen Gianaris will play No. 2 singles while newcomer Michelle Nee will look to fill the No. 3 singles slot.

"We've made some lineup changes, but our depth this season has allowed us to do that," said Tuftedal. "We have a lot of natural athletes who are very determined and motivated to succeed. That being said, I think we will do very well."

Elgin sees Jan LaBar take over for longtime coach Larry DeHaan at the helm of the girls varsity program which finished near the .500 mark last year, and will look to improve upon that expecting doubles teams to carry them early. LaBar does have familiarity with the group as she has coached the JV team for the past 5 season.

Clair Hernon (senior) and Carleen Krieb (junior) return and will join forces at No. 1 doubles. Angel Certeza will play No. 1 singles.

"It's a rebuilding season and it will be a battle, but the girls are working hard," said LaBar. "This group will compete."

While program numbers are down, new help comes in the form of juniors Aayushi Patel (No. 2 doubles), Allison Harris (No. 2 singles) and senior Molly Lannin (No. 2 doubles).

"I'm very excited to work with the program," said LaBar. "This is a great group of kids to work with. They have excellent attitudes, and that may just push a few of them to qualify in the end."

Streamwood enters the year revamped and looking to net a few victories. Sophomore Jennifer Mellenthin will jump from No. 2 singles to the No. 1 slot changing places with junior Arleen Nguyen. Diana Hernandez (junior) will play No. 3 singles. Also back are sophomore Michelle Tomczak and junior Anna Zimnock.

"We are a young team, but not having any seniors will allow us to work hard this year and build a good base for next season," said coach Miriam Abe.

Adding to the youth will be freshmen Dena Raposa and Brooke Speckman who are slated to play No. 3 doubles. Kristel Burgos (junior) will join Tomczak at No. 1 doubles.

"The team strength will be our singles players," said Abe. "We are more experienced at singles," she added.

While program numbers are on the rise at Larkin, coach Robert Young will work to overcome the obstacle of youth. With returning junior Kursty Sahles slated to play at No. 1 singles, remaining returns and new additions might bounce around until the Royals find some winning pairs.

Still, Larkin hopes to make some racket.

"We come in very inexperienced, but the ladies work very hard in practice and are growing quickly," said Young.

Back in blue and white are seniors Susan Marquez and Sam Cussen as well as sophomores Alexis Dewitt and Lea Tiaokhiao. Senior soccer standouts Jacqulin Goodlove and Kelly Johnson will try their hand at tennis joined by freshman Aida Delafuente.

"In a sense, we have a lot of depth," said Young. "Our goals will be to improve with each match, develop our strengths and strengthen our weaknesses."

St. Edward: The leadership of the St. Edward program will again change hands as former Jacobs standout Mark Sommerville takes over the head coach position bringing with him tennis experience of his own.

Sommerville steps in expecting his No. 1 singles player and No. 1 doubles team to anchor the squad. Each entering their senior seasons, Tina Wahl will return to No. 1 singles, while Sarah Michaels and Sarah Schultz will pair up again at No. 1 doubles.

"We lost a lot to graduation so it will be a rebuilding year for us," said Sommerville. "Still, things are going really well. The girls are responding nicely in practices, they are enthusiastic and they're making my job very easy."

According to Sommerville, new arrival Kaley St. Clair (junior) is coming along very quickly at No. 2 singles.

"I would like to see us be competitive in matches," he said. "Our strength will be our ground strokes at the base line. We have a lot of girls that can keep it in play."

Elgin Academy: Representing the area in the Independent School League, Elgin Academy opens the season having recently bid farewell to the most accomplished tennis player to ever walk the Hilltopper halls. Graduating 4-time state qualifier Bethany Boyle as well as eight additional seniors, Elgin Academy has work ahead.

"Despite the losses, we have 19 girls out this year, and a four-person staff," said 4-year coach Greg Repede. "We're hoping to see the girls improve on a daily basis while having fun with a lifetime sport."

Sophomores Taylor Yavari and Neha Khemani are the lone returning players for the Hilltoppers. The duo contributed last year helping the Hilltoppers to a program-best 8 wins en route to an 8-10 overall finish.

Yavari will play No. 2 singles while Khemani will partner with freshman Lauren Ficken at No. 1 doubles.

Bianca Swegler (junior) will join the ranks quickly stepping in at No. 1 singles.

"Bianca and Taylor both look very strong, and they should be the strength of this team," said Repede. "Our doubles teams match up very well so we certainly hope to see them win some matches as well. With tennis, the best way to get better is to play."