Scouting Cook County girls badminton

Scouting area badminton

Players to watch

Buffalo Grove: Melanie Driscoll, Ashton and Heather Nisbet

Fremd: Jenna Langhorst, Erica Lee, Jackie Tiangco, Claire Lee, Annie Huang, Alice Liu

Hersey: Ashley Thomas, Sonal Patel, Jillian Cabrera

Hoffman Estates: Apruva and Amruta Bhatt, Maiko Matsubara

Leyden: Kelsey Koterla, Magdelena Liskowicz

Maine West: Amanda Czekaj, Ola Lyczko

Palatine: Colleen Maund, Kylie Kosulic, Katie and Maggie Van Grondelle

Prospect: Melanie Walsh, Colleen Brogni, Ashley Desantis, Megan Kosirog

Rolling Meadows: Kim Martini, Kim O'Brien, Ashley Koeckritz

Schaumburg: Amanda Hardt, Poonam Sahasrabudhe

Wheeling: Shannon Chechang, Karolina Sabaliauskaite

Teams to watch

Fremd

The Vikings are shooting for a third straight Mid-Suburban League title and eighth straight sectional title. And coach Bob Hanson thinks even the biggest prize of all in Charleston is within reach after taking fifth last year. "It's going to take a total team effort but hopefully they can pull it off," Hanson said. The only senior is Jenna Langhorst, who was third in singles last year and is headed to Iowa State on a tennis scholarship, is battling through back trouble, played for the first time Tuesday and will be there for the big meets. Junior Erica Lee was seeded at singles and made the consolation quarters last year, junior Alice Liu made it state in doubles last year and juniors Jackie Tiangco and Claire Lee and freshman Annie Huang round out a solid nucleus.

Buffalo Grove

The Bison were third in the MSL last year and look to challenge Fremd for the title led by juniors Ashton and Heather Nisbet, who took second in the state in doubles, and senior Melanie Driscoll, who won two games at state. "We have the most athletic group of players we've had at Buffalo Grove," said coach Chris Van Grondelle. "We were young and talented last year, hopefully we'll be a little hungier and more mature this year."

Hersey

Hersey lost seven seniors from last year's MSL co-championship team with Fremd and sectional champion. But the Huskies are always a threat under Jeanine Konkolewski and the senior doubles team of Ashley Thomas and Jillian Cabrera won four matches at state to finish in the top 16.

Prospect

The Knights also lost a lot from last year but hope to reload with seniors Melanie Walsh, Ashley Desantis and Megan Kosirog and junior Colleen Brogni. "I always think we're going to be in the top four in the MSL," said Prospect coach Jean Rezny. "It's a realistic goal. I know Fremd has a very good team but I think we have a shot at challenging at least for the East."

Meets to watch

April 11: Prospect Invite (Hersey, Palatine, Schaumburg, Wheeling); Wheaton Warrenville South Invite (Fremd)

April 17: Buffalo Grove quad (Palatine)

April 25: Wheeling invite (Fremd, Elk Grove, Rolling Meadows)

May 1-2: Mid-Suburban League tourney at BG

May 7-9: Sectional tournaments

May 15-16: State tournament at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston