Stevenson runner-up to powerful Lake Forest
The Stevenson girls tennis team savored a very good weekend.
Although the Patriots were not able to match perennial power Lake Forest's strength in the two-day North Suburban Conference meet, they did take home second place in the 14-team tournament.
The state-ranked Scouts swept first places in all five flights to capture the championship with 40 points. Stevenson outdueled Lake Zurich 22.5-19.5 for runner-up honors.
Mundelein edged Warren 18.5 to 18 for fourth place, and host Lakes took sixth with 8.5 points.
Saturday's final round featured the Patriots earning third-place finishes from all of their doubles teams.
Mundelein freshman Ali MacDonald defeated Stevenson's Leslie Zwirm for third place at No. 2 singles.
"It was real nice to step up and play really well, and it's good to see your team perform at their highest level at the end of the season," said Patriots coach Dave Wilms. "It's a deep conference, but right now Lake Forest just has superior players and better depth."
At No. 1 singles, Lake Forest's Katie Zordani had won every game of the tournament before Mundelein junior Hanne MacDonald forced a 2-2 deadlock in the second game of the finals.
But that was as close as MacDonald would get as Zordani went on to win the final four games and the match for the championship.
"I went out there and I knew I had nothing to lose," MacDonald said. "I thought we did really well as a team, and it was a big improvement from last year."
Just when it looked like the Mustangs were headed for third place, Lake Zurich came through when the chips were down.
The Bears' No. 3 doubles team of Lindsey Thompson and Kristy Peterson (24-2) placed second to Lake Forest.
"We finished third in the division overall, so I thought we would have a good tournament and we did well," said LZ coach Marcus Sipiera. "(Ingrid) Brauer was kind of a surprise taking fourth in No. 1 singles, and Margaret (Boden) did a really nice job in No. 2 singles."
Lakes senior Olga Aguilera-Rivero placed second to Lake Forest's Faith Bassiouny at second singles, while Mundelein's No. 1 doubles team of Karlie Alms and Paige Parola also took second to the Scouts.
"We had a good conference meet and it's probably the highest we've ever finished," said Mundelein coach Jim Drier. "Last year we sent three to state, and this year they all have a very good opportunity to repeat."
Warren's Michelle Dutt placed third at No. 1 singles with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Brauer.
After a tough three-set match to beat Stevenson in the semifinals, the Blue Devils' No. 2 doubles team of Leilani Palafox and Alex Schmidt took home second-place medals.
"Everybody contributed to the team total today, and considering we had a 1-5 record in conference it shows that we executed," said Warren coach Vince Desecki. "The girls know they were better than our record shows. I think our No. 2 doubles team has a chance to make state."
Stevenson's No. 1 doubles team of Jennifer and Caroline Sims beat Lake Zurich's Val Wilson and Emily Rowland in two sets for third place.
The Patriots also received third-place medals from Ania Gralak and Alley Rappaport at No. 2 doubles, as well as thirds from teammates Amanda Schmitz and Elana Brdichevski at No. 3 doubles.