Scouting Northwest girls badminton

The Mid-Suburban League Hardware Store

No one can dispute the MSL's dominance in badminton last year, with titles going to Fremd as a team and Jenna Langhorst in singles and Buffalo Grove's Heather and Ashton Nisbet in doubles. Other medalists were Fremd's Erica Lee (third) and Wheeling's Karolina Sabaliauska (sixth) in singles and Palatine's Maggie and Katie Van Grondelle (sixth) in doubles.

The Nisbets, the Van Grondelles and Lee are back. Conant's Selina Imamura and Rolling Meadows' Kim Martini in singles and Fremd's Claire Lee and Jackie Tiangco and BG's Michelle Byjos in doubles return after playing in Saturday's second day of the tournament at Eastern Illinois a year ago.

"We should be bringing a lot of hardware north again," said BG coach Chris Van Grondelle.

Fremd will be trying to win its third title in four years and BG is also in the hunt after taking fifth last year. New Trier is a contender for its first title since 1997 as the fifth-place doubles team of Eunice Kim and Hannah Doren returns.

"Our goal is to add another state trophy to the case," said Fremd coach Bob Hanson. "New Trier will be very tough to beat but I think we'll be right there."

Looking at the area teams

Barrington: Rachel Kershner and Amanda Ni are the only returning seniors. But coach Ted DeBruin said the doubles team of freshman Emily Sullivan and sophomore Shirlye Ni are "playing well beyond their ability." Juniors Kathy Ho and Leigh Hedrick are another solid doubles team and the Slagger sisters, freshman Alyssa and junior Sydney, also figure to make an impact.

Buffalo Grove: The Bison have the depth, talent and experience for a run at the MSL title and a state trophy. The Nisbets are trying to become the first doubles team to repeat as state champions, Michelle Byjos was seventh in the state doubles is teamed this year with newcomer and tennis star Nell Boyd and Deanna Gutyon won the MSL's No. 6 singles title. "Fremd has a very talented and deep group as well," said BG coach Chris Van Grondelle, "but hopefully we'll be able to stick with them."

Conant: Second-year coach Carl Watschke has two talented singles players in Selina Imamura and Ayaka Yoshinari, who won singles matches in a dual with Buffalo Grove and took the Nisbets to three at doubles.

Elk Grove: Seniors Sejal Patel and Shreya Patel have played together for three years at doubles and three-year varsity players Catherine Yuh and Khushbu Patel lead the way at singles. "Although our team lacks a true No. 1 player, we are fairly strong through the middle of the lineup," said coach Joe Lennon. "We should be pretty competitive this year, finishing above .500."

Fremd: The defending state and MSL champions lost their driving force to graduation in singles champion Jenna Langhorst. But there is plenty of state experience coming back in seniors Erica Lee and the doubles teams of Alice Liu and Annie Huang and Claire Lee and Jackie Tiangco. "They like to win for each other and not just themselves," said coach Bob Hanson. "We'd like to defend our MSL title. We don't want to give that up."

Hersey: Four-year players Tamara Cisowska (MSL No. 8 singles champ), Rossy Iovtcheva, Catherine Park, Marilyn Gaske, Kasia Dubiel and Kristin Holz lead the way for the Huskies, who tied for third in the MSL last year. "My sophomores and juniors are moving up a lot of positions, but are working hard," said coach Jeanine Konkolewski.

Hoffman Estates: First-year coach Lisa Stenger was an assistant last year and also has a solid playing background in southern California. Juniors Amrut Bhatt and Maiko Matsubara are the Hawks' top doubles teams and Stenger's daugther Carly and Millie Fang are the only seniors. "I'm very hopeful," Lisa Stenger said. "It's a good group of kids and a lot of fun."

Leyden: Second-year coach Brian O'Grady has senior Maggie Liskowicz back after making state last year. "The expectation is for her to go back downstate and not just be content with getting down there," O'Grady said, "but to do something down there." Senior Nina Quattrochi, juniors Jessica Conradson and Katie Kowall and sophomore Adrianna Sanchez has O'Grady hoping for better things as a team as well.

Maine West: State qualifier Amanda Czekaj graduated so the Warriors will build around seniors Monica Armea and Camille Mira at singles and doubles and junior Katrina Mira when she returns to the lineup. "We're extremely dedicated, but low on experience," said coach Maggie Weber. "A lot of my returning players were lower on my roster last year, but have to step it up this year as I need them in higher positions."

Palatine: The Van Grondelles, senior Katie and sophomore Maggie, will be chasing another state medal this year. Senior Lora Weiss also made state last year in doubles and this time will pair with solid senior Beth Gleason. "Both of them have great potential to make a great impact," said coach Alison West, whose team was sixth in the MSL last year.

Prospect: The Knights graduated 12 seniors and only have three returning varsity players. Only senior Karly Grouwinkel, who came on strong at the end of last year and nearly qualified for state, and junior Jackie Hertrich got a lot of experience since senior Colleen Brogni missed most of last year because of illness. "I try to have a set lineup," said coach Jean Rezny. "This year could be a first where I might be scrambling until the end and the lineup could change week-to-week."

Rolling Meadows: Senior Kim Martini will look to reach the medal stand after taking 12th last year in singles for coach Ken Mills. The No. 2 doubles team of seniors Emily Ciesl and Dominika Ciasnocha nearly made state. Senior Jackie Grummel provides leadership and junior Taryn Hampton is a powerful hitter.

Schaumburg: The Saxons lost state qualifier Amanda Hardt to graduation. Senior Marisol Reyna and juniors Sara Partington and Roshni Patel are the only returnees for Kelly Lagioia's young team.

Stevenson: Wan Wan Liu and Katie McMillan are back after making state at doubles last year. Sherry Wang and Jessica Lam add to the Patriots' depth for coach Mike Fitzgerald.

Wheeling: Shannen Chechang leads the way after nearly making to Saturday at state last year. Hannah Park, Jessica Pena and Anastasiya Tsyukenda also return from the MSL tourney lineup that led Wheeling to a tie for third in Gabriella Medina's first year as coach.