Plaszewski quickly making her mark at St. Charles North

It didn't take long for Brittany Plaszewski to figure out that playing tennis was her thing.

Plaszewski, who first picked up a racket as an 8-year-old while taking classes at the Norris Recreation Center in St. Charles, placed fourth competing in her debut tournament.

"I surprised myself," Plaszewski said of her tournament finish in the 10-year-old division at the Lincolnshire Tennis Club.

Six years later, it hasn't taken long for Plaszewski to make a name for herself on the high school tennis scene.

The 14-year-old St. Charles North freshman carried an unblemished 20-0 record in singles play into last Saturday's Warren Invitational.

And once again, she has surprised herself with her success.

"I didn't think I'd be 20-0 at this point," said Plaszewski. "Against some of the schools we've played, I thought I would have a few losses.

"I'm on a good streak."

One person who isn't a bit surprised with Plaszewski's "good streak" is North Stars' first-year varsity coach Eva Tubman.

"I knew what kind of player she was coming in," said Tubman. "I remember watching her play for the first time when she was in sixth grade.

"I actually came to a camp at St. Charles East and saw her play a high school boy. She was beating him badly - and he was no slouch player."

In 2006, Plaszewski participated in several national junior tournaments (Girls 12 singles), including the Kentucky International Junior Tennis Derby in Lexington and the Agassi No Quit Championship in Las Vegas.

In 2007, she played in the United States Tennis Association National Tournament held in Augusta, Ga.

That same year, Plaszewski experienced something most seventh graders can only dream about - spending the entire school year more than 600 miles away from home while attending the Cramer Mountain Country Club (Tennis Academy) in Charlotte, N.C.

"My coach at the time, Ben Swain, had recently moved from Aurora to North Carolina (to work at the Academy)," said Plaszewski. "It was fun but it was also hard because I was away from home for six months.

"I was home-schooled. It was pretty much nonstop tennis during the day and then I'd do homework at night."

After returning home for eighth grade, Plaszewski decided to come back to the Hinsdale Racquet Club.

She kicked off her 2009 season by advancing to the round of 16 (Girls 14 singles) at the Midwest Winter Championships in Cincinnati last January.

After reaching the quarterfinals of the Columbus Indoor this past May in Ohio, Plaszewski advanced to the round of 16 at both the USTA National Open (Girls 14) in College Park, Md. (May 16), and the USTA National Open (Girls 16) in Montgomery, Ala. (July 14).

With all that national experience under her belt, it's easier to understand why she has yet to lose a set during her young high school singles career (she's 2-1 in doubles play), and also why she's ranked 168th nationally from the Class of 2013 by TennisRecruiting.net.

Early in the season, Plaszewski proved her mettle when she knocked off Glenbrook North senior returning state qualifier Lindsey Heller in straight sets.

She also has benefited from playing alongside junior No. 1 singles player Liselot Koenen (18-5), who teamed up with since-graduated sister Annemijn for a sixth-place doubles state showing last year.

"Liselot has helped me a lot," said Plaszewski, who enjoys watching two of her favorite tennis professionals, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, whenever she gets the chance.

"Liselot is such a great leader," said Tubman, "and she's so kind to the others. She gives pointers but in a positive way. She's a great asset to the team."

As is Plaszewski.

"She's so fast on her feet," said Tubman. "She's a battler but she keeps an even temperament throughout matches."

At 5-foot-1, Plaszewski nevertheless packs a powerful punch on the court.

"My strength is my forehand," she said. "I've been working on it for three years now. My weakness is probably my serve - I've had trouble with it the last couple years."

Plaszewski, whose mom, Nadine, played high school tennis in Elmhurst, has enjoyed her first two months as a high school player.

"I love the team part of it," she said. "The girls are awesome to be around. And I like having teammates to support."

October will likely be a busy month for Plaszewski, who awaits this weekend's Upstate Eight Conference Tournament, the upcoming St. Charles East Sectional (Oct. 16-17) and possibly the state tournament (Oct. 22-24).

"I actually didn't know that much about conference, sectional or state," she said. "I'm still learning."

Something tells me other players and coaches from Illinois will be learning more about Plaszewski the next couple weeks.