Fremd's Langhorst wins at 1st singles

Even though Stefanie Younberg is a senior and Erin Bowman a sophomore, the St. Charles East tennis players have known each other forever.

Now this season they've paired up, and are making a dramatic impression on the court.

The two Saints came in to Saturday's Fremd Invitational undefeated and the pair stayed flawless by triumphing at No. 1 doubles.

Younberg and Bowman led East to a tie for second place at the tourney with Hersey while Fenwick was crowned invitational champs.

Fremd senior Jenna Langhorst won No. 1 singles as the host Vikings took fifth place; Libertyville finished fourth, Jacobs sixth and Conant seventh in the eight-team tournament.

The Youngberg-Bowman combo has proved quite a hit for East this year, and both players have the same goal for the season.

"We want to make it to state," said Bowman, while her teammate echoed that sentiment.

"I want to go to go to state - it is my senior year, after all," added Younberg.

Making a trip to the state tournament would be no surprise for Younberg - she took the journey as a singles player her freshman and sophomore seasons, finishing in the top 24 both times.

Now this year the senior wants to make her mark in doubles.

"It (playing doubles) is something that I really wanted to do this year," said Younberg.

And if the camaraderie the pair show is any indication, they could go a long way this season.

Fremd's Langhorst, who is also a state-ranked badminton player, swept to the No. 1 singles crown with a 6-0, 6-1 victory in the final match.

Langhorst, who captured the third place individual medal at last season's state badminton meet, says her tennis game has improved greatly this year.

"I was a little rocky last year," said the senior, "because I was switching up a lot of my strokes. This year, I'm pretty solid."

And so is Fremd, although Langhorst says that the Vikings "have been struggling a little this year."

"We lost a lot of seniors from last year's team," added Langhorst, "but we're improving."

Fenwick was victorious at 2,3 and 4 doubles while Hersey was able to break the Friar's streak at No. 2 and No. 3 singles.

Andrea Perkins of the Huskies won at No. 2 while Carina Balin of Hersey was victorious at 3, with both triumphs coming over Fenwick players.

Libertyville's team of Eileen Lee and Emily Paul were runners-up at 1 doubles; Jacobs' Jen Ruther was second at No. 1 singles, while Conant's Lindsey Johnson was fourth at No. 2 singles.