Naperville North's Giraud, Mutschler get back in rhythm
Wheaton Warrrenville South's Nick Geannopoulos and Noah Thacker finally got a look at Naperville North's Elliot Giraud and Reid Mutschler when they were on their game.
A few weeks ago, the Tigers' fast-improving junior doubles pair beat the Huskies' seniors in the first set of the DuPage Valley Conference dual match and were playing them evenly in the second set when Geannapoulos injured his ankle chasing down a ball and was forced to a forfeit.
On Saturday, Giraud and Mutschler used the strong wind to their advantage and defeated their Tigers challengers 6-1, 6-3 to capture fifth place at first doubles at the NaperValley Invitational.
"Today, Elliot and Reid showed what they're capable of doing," said Naperville North coach Heather Henricksen. "Last time they were just outplayed by Wheaton Warrenville South, and today they had a will to win. They're peaking at the right time."
"Last time we broke them a couple of times," said the fully recovered Geannopoulos. "Today, they were doing a lot better. They were serving well and they were getting winners at the net."
"What Nick and Noah did successfully a couple of weeks ago, they couldn't do today," said Wheaton Warrenville South assistant coach Connie Carey. "They couldn't lob today because of the wind. Elliot and Reid are fine players and their size really helps them at the net."
Carey said the match against Naperville North a few weeks ago was an indication of how how much Geannopoulos and Thacker have improved.
"They move well, they're getting familiar with each other and they're really learning the doubles game," Carey said. "With consistent hard work, they're goal is to be state qualifiers next year."
Meanwhile, Giraud and Mutschler feel they've gotten their rhythm back and they're looking forward to next weekend's DuPage Valley Conference tournament and another shot at Naperville Central's Kevin Bauman and Billy Sterrett, who have beaten them twice already this season.
"The first time we played Naperville Central, we choked," Giraud said. "The second time we were exhausted and both times they wanted it more than we did and they did a good job of trying different formations and playing aggressive at the net."
Hinsdale Central won Saturday's NaperValley Invitational by capturing four of the five finals matches, both singles as well as first and second doubles, and finishing with 84 points.
The Red Devils' Augie Bloom won the first-singles final 6-1, 7-6 over Jimmy Li of Wheaton Warrenville South.
"I've never beaten Augie in 13 tries," Li said. "He's just a smart player and he probably knows my game better than I do. But as a competitor, I'll always keep working in every match I play."
Hinsdale Central's Rafe Mosetick won at second singles, while the Red Devils' Dan Ballantine and Ian Tesmond were the first-doubles champions and Krishna Ravella and Sam Bloom won second doubles.
Oak Park-River Forest was second in the team standings with 68 points and Downers Grove South, whose Connor Harmon and Jon Artus won the third-doubles title, finished third with 52 points.
After that it was Edwardsville (48), St. Charles North (38), Naperville North (33) Wheaton Warrenville South and Loyola Academy (30), Benet (28), Lincoln-Way East (19) and Waubonsie Valley (17).