Neuqua's Perry, Plowman finish in 9-12 spot

Neuqua Valley doubles Chase Perry and Skeeter Plowman surprised themselves a little on Saturday by starting out well in an early morning match.

In the quarterfinals of the backdraw of the state tournament, the Wildcats were sharp and on their game, but they came up just short against Downers Grove South's Rahul Kamath and Brian Sorich, who topped Perry and Plowman 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The loss gave the Wildcats tandem a 9-12 place finish in state, one level higher than they got to last year.

"We usually come out slow in the morning," Perry said. "We actually came out strong today and played well. We're a little disappointed that we brought it all the way to three and lost it at the end."

The Wildcats were trailing 3-2 in the first set when the match was delayed by rain, but when they returned to the court they fought back to the 6-4 victory and it looked as though they were on their way.

"Downers picked it up a little in the second and third set," Perry said. "They were hitting more balls in and their volleys were a little sharper. We weren't closing as well so we couldn't put the ball away. They're a good team."

"We just had good serves and returns throughout the second and third sets," Kamath said. "The holding of serve was important. We stepped up on those big points and that was the key today."

Kamath and Sorich went on to win their next two matches in the backdraw and finished fifth in the tournament.

The team of Perry and Plowman went 10-4 in two years in the state tournament, and the loss marks the end of their successful partnerships. Perry, a senior, will attend Purdue in the fall, and Plowman has another year at Neuqua Valley.

"They're a good combination both on the court and off the court," said Neuqua Valley coach Trudy Bennorth. "They work so hard and they play so wonderfully together. They're not afraid of the net and their games complement each other. They both have the full game."

The team championship was won by Hinsdale Central for the third year in a row with 43 points. And for the third straight year Stevenson was second, only 1 point behind as they were last year. New Trier was third for the second straight time, this time with 40 points.

Blake Bazarnik of Stevenson defeated Michael Moore of Glenbrook South for the singles title. Last year's singles champion Denis Bogatov of Warren finished third.

Dan Ballantine and Ian Tesmond of Hinsdale Central won the doubles crown with a victory over Ross Putterman and David Packowitz of Stevenson.

It was the 20th Illinois Boys Tennis Championship for the Red Devils and their 16th under legendary coach Jay Kramer.

"This was a dream come true," Kramer said. "We started out the day tied at 40 with Stevenson and New Trier and we had to win every match today. Augie Bloom (who finished fifth in singles in the tournament) was incredible and Dan and Ian knew they had to win. What an incredible thrill this was for me and for the kids. We had to do it ourselves. We delivered at the end."

Neuqua Valley and Downers Grove South were tied with Highland Park eighth place with 17 points, while Naperville North and Naperville Central were among five teams tied for the 18th place with 12 points.

Bennorth was thrilled with the Wildcats' eighth-place finish.

"We had a great tournament," she said. "Everyone did a fantastic job. We got more points than we've ever gotten. Our goal was to finish in the top 10 for the first time in our history and we did that."