Successful sectional operation for Mundelein, MacDonald

Mundelein's Hanne MacDonald earned another chance to the girls tennis state tournament, which begins Thursday.

MacDonald reached the sectional final at Highland Park on Saturday and finished runner-up to a state-ranked player, Annie Sullivan of Woodlands Academy.

Mundelein missed winning the sectional by 2 points to host Highland Park 19-17 but still advanced a total of four players, with two singles and a doubles team qualifying.

For MacDonald, it's especially rewarding after what she went through in qualifying for state a year ago. She missed last year's trip because of an emergency appendectomy two days before the state tournament

"I just want to stay healthy (going into state)," said MacDonald, who also reached state as a sophomore and won a consolation match before missing last year's tourney. "I was bummed about it with what happened.. My appendix was infected and they got it before it burst.

"I'm a little more nervous this year, because it's my last chance after not playing (state) last year. I've been working out a lot and improving my overall game."

In the final, MacDonald fell to Sullivan 6-0, 6-1.

Also qualifying was Mundelein freshman Ari Dechter, who lost to Sullivan 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals and won her third-place match over Highland Park's Lauren Schectman 6-0, 6-0.

"I've been looking forward to reaching state all year," said Dechter, who has lost only two matches. "The biggest thing working for me is moving my feet after each shot and point."

Mustangs also got its doubles team advanced as Paige Parola and Ali MacDonald (Hanne's sister) reached the final before losing to Highland Park's team of Elana Woldenberg and Rachel Goldberg 6-3, 6-2.

The Giants prevented Mundelein winning its first-ever tennis sectional by taking that doubles final.

"Take nothing away form Highland Park," Mundelein coach Jim Drier said. "(Highland Park) played better than we did. We were the most aggressive and optimistic playing this year. We were right there for the sectional title for the first time in 50 years. For us, finishing higher than third is the best we've ever done. At state, we might make some noise. We're not a top-five team, but we've got a good chance to make Friday."

Libertyville's doubles team of Meghan Ahlgrim and MK Lee advanced after finishing fourth. Ahlgrim/Lee lost in the third-place match to Highland Park's Emily Tresley and Diana Levy 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Ahlgrim/Lee reached the final four by defeating McCarthy and Napier of Woodlands Academy 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 on Saturday morning before falling in the semifinals to Highland Park's Woldenberg/Goldberg 6-3, 6-3.

"It's the second year for them playing together," Libertyville coach Dan Kiernan said. "They do well and being No. 2, they keep battling out there."