Badminton sectional preview
The top four singles and doubles teams from each sectional qualify for the state tournament May 15-16 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
At Buffalo Grove
When: 4:30 p.m. today
What to watch: Buffalo Grove goes for its first sectional title since 2006 as it got the top two doubles seeds with Ashton and Heather Nisbet, last year's state runners-up, and Mid-Suburban League No. 2 champs Kate Meyers and Michelle Byjos. Singles should be competitive as Rolling Meadows junior Kim Martini got the No. 1 seed and looks for her first state trip. Schaumburg's Amanda Hardt, BG's Melanie Driscoll and Stevenson's Sherry Wang also got top four seeds.
At Fremd
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
What to watch: Fremd is looking for its eighth straight sectional crown but more important is getting everyone through for a run at state hardware. Senior Jenna Langhorst, third in the state last year, and junior Erica Lee got the top two singles seeds. In doubles, Fremd got a No. 2 seed with Claire Lee and Jackie Tiangco and a No. 4 with Alice Liu and Annie Huang. Prospect's Melanie Walsh, Colleen Brogni, Ashley Desantis and Megan Kosirog are also chasing state berths.
At Wheeling
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
What to watch: Palatine's Katie and Maggie Van Grondelle took third at No. 1 doubles in the MSL and could get a rematch with Wheeling's Jen Moss and Ausrine Rakauskaite as they got the top two seeds. Wheeling is trying for its fourth straight sectional title with Karolina Sabaliauskaite and Shannon Chechang also in the hunt to qualify along with Palatine's Kylie Kosulic and Conant's Selina Imamura.
At York
When: 4:30 p.m. today
What to watch: Maine West's Amanda Czekaj got the No. 1 seed after finishing second at the Central Suburban League tourney. Czekaj is 18-4 with one of her losses to Fremd's Jenna Langhorst.
At New Trier
When: 4:30 p.m. today
What to watch: Hersey's Ashley Thomas and Jillian Cabrera qualified for state last year and got a No. 3 doubles seed with teammates Rossy Iovtcheva and Sonal Patel getting the No. 4. Christina Patel is seeded No. 3 at singles.
At Willowbrook
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
What to watch: Danica Raymundo and Catherine Yuh will be among the players from Elk Grove trying to qualify for state.
At Glenbard West
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday
What to watch: Leyden junior Maggie Liskowicz got the top singles seed and teammate Kelsey Koterla go the third seed. The Eagles are coached by former Meadows All-Area baseball player Brian O'Grady.
What they're saying
"Hopefully (winning the MSL No. 4 singles title) is a boost for doubles play as well. We need to improve and we'll be working really hard (this) week. I'm definitely optimistic about our future as a doubles team."
- Wheeling's Jen Moss on going for a state berth with Ausrine Rakauskaite
"This proved to us what we can do and (state) is more attainable than we thought."
- BG's Kate Meyers after her doubles title with Michelle Byjos
"Erica (Lee) is obviously playing really well right now. I think we'll compete pretty well at sectionals."
- Fremd's Jenna Langhorst
"It's nice to end on a win going to sectionals."
- Palatine's Katie Van Grondelle on taking third at No. 1 doubles with sister Maggie