Lake Zurich enjoying recent upswing

Junior Lindsey Thompson and sophomore Kristy Peterson are a multi-talented combination for the Lake Zurich tennis team.

In addition to posting an 18-1 record at No. 3 doubles, Peterson started a Web site devoted to the team. Thompson has since gotten into the act and helps Peterson compile information for the site, lzgirlstennis.wetpaint.com.

Updating the site has been fun because of all the success the Bears have enjoyed.

Through Thursday, Lake Zurich has an 11-2 record. The Bears are 6-0 against teams from the Mid-Suburban Conference. Lake Zurich's only losses were to Lake Forest and Mundelein.

"We're jelling is the best way to put it," coach Marcus Sipiera said.

While the point won or lost at No. 1 singles gets the most attention, every match is just as important to the team score. And until losing to Lake Forest on Tuesday, Thompson and Peterson were undefeated.

"They worked really hard in the off-season," Sipiera said.

This included traveling to Santa Cruz, Calif., for a one-week tennis camp.

"We played every day," Thompson said. "We really wanted to get better."

Juniors Emily Rabe and Jen Hacker have wracked up a 14-3 record at No. 2 doubles.

The simple formula that has led to their success is patience. The duo plays long points and waits for the opposition to make mistakes.

"Other teams will get really aggressive and try to hit winners before they have the shot," Rabe said.

Added Sipiera: "They're models of consistency. They force you to beat them, and that's pretty hard to do unless they're up against a true shot-making team."

Rabe and Hacker take their laidback personalities onto the court. "We make (mistakes) when we're too serious," Rabe said. "We like to laugh and talk between points."

The No. 1 doubles team of Emily Rowland and Val Wilson also has a winning record (10-7).

"They're the most coachable team," Sipiera said. "They're willing to try anything to win points."

For the fourth consecutive year, Ingrid Brauer (10-7) holds the top singles spot.

"She's really matured and takes points one at a time," Sipiera said.

Brauer said Lake Zurich's depth of talent is the team's greatest strength.

"We're all pretty equal," she said. "We work hard and are compatible."

Junior Margaret Boden (12-6) has been consistent all year at No. 2 singles.

"She's added a lot of variety to her game over the summer," Sipiera said.

Boden traveled abroad this summer as part of a program called Travel Europe. The program lets high school students play and practice in different countries while learning about new cultures.

"It was a good mixture between sightseeing and tennis," she said.

Boden played tennis in Spain, Holland, Belgium and Paris. The dominant surface in those countries is clay.

"Most of the players were really consistent so I worked a lot on that," she said.

What was her takeaway from the trip?

"It was the best experience of my life," she said.

And for all the girls, the high school tennis season to date has been pretty memorable as well.