Scouting Lake County girls tennis
Players to watch
Lauren Aguilar, sr., Carmel; Karlie Almos, sr., Mundelein; Margaret Boden, jr., Lake Zurich; Stephanie Borgman, sr., Vernon Hills; Ingrid Brauer, sr., Lake Zurich; Taryn Doherty, jr., Grant; Jeanna Dudley, sr., Lakes; Michelle Dutt, soph., Warren; Jenny Horner, jr., Warren; Nicole Klein, fr., Libertyville; Michelle Kunkler, sr., Carmel; Elisa Lopez, sr., Lakes; Hanne MacDonald, jr., Mundelein; Angela Marscalco, sr., Antioch; Jasmine Minor, soph., Carmel; Paige Parola, soph., Mundelein; Sarah Paulson, fr., Libertyville; Shelby Peters, sr., Wauconda; Kelly Poggensee-Wei, fr., Grayslake Central; Bailan Reynolds, jr., Antioch; Colleen Rhoades, sr., Vernon Hills; Jen Shea, soph., Lakes; Liza Xu, sr., Vernon Hills
Outlook
This should be one of the best Carmel teams in school history. The addition of Jasmine Minor at No. 1 singles allows seniors Lauren Aguilar and Michelle Kunkler to team up at No. 1 doubles. The two had played singles the last three years. The Corsairs have quality depth in singles and doubles. - Grayslake North freshman Kelly Poggensee-Wei steps in to anchor No. 1 singles. Her older sister, Lynne, who graduated from Grayslake Central, placed fourth at the 2006 state tournament and now plays for Iowa. Heidi Jonson and Nicole Karcewski, both sophomores, will play Nos. 2 and 3 singles, respectively. - Libertyville will feature a surplus of talented young players. Freshmen Sarah Paulson is an experienced tournament player and will be slotted at No. 1 singles. Freshman Nicole Klein, a baseliner, uses her quickness to keep points alive and frustrate her opponents. 6 Lake Zurich senior Ingrid Brauer placed fourth at the Stevenson Sectional and was a state qualifier. As a sophomore, Margaret Boden placed second at the NSC Tournament at No. 2 singles. - Mundelein junior Hanne MacDonald is one of the area's most impressive players. Her patience and ability to cover the court often forces her opponents into mistakes. Senior Karlie Alms and sophomore Paige Parola have great chemistry. This is their second season playing No. 1 doubles. - Warren sophomore Michelle Dutt is in her second season at No. 1 singles. The Blue Devils have a nice mix of youth and experience. Team leaders Lani Palafox and Joyce Chen, both seniors, should make a formidable doubles team. - Antioch won the Prairie Division last year and has a good chance to defend its title. Coach Randy Digman is mixing up the lineup this season with a heavy emphasis on doubles. The top doubles team will be the pairing of Angela Marscalco and Bailan Reynolds. - A record number of athletes went out for tennis at Grant. Behind the play of Taryn Doherty at No. 1 singles and Cassie Menke/Kristen Sircher at No. 1 doubles, Grant should enjoy its share of success in the Prairie Division. - Lakes returns all but one player from last year's lineup. Se niors Elisa Lopez and Jeanna Dudley were state last year in doubles. - Sophomore Jen Shea has improved her serve and is hitting her groundstrokes with more pace. - Vernon Hills senior Stephanie Borgman is in her third year at No. 1 singles. Junior Juliana McLain moves into the No. 2 singles spot. Seniors Liza Xu and Colleen Rhoades are a solid No. 1 doubles team. - Wauconda has a veteran team with players that have improved over the season. Senior Shelby Peters will play No. 1 singles.
- Bob Gosman