Carmel's Minor still unbeaten
Learning the game being motivated to improve the last few years has led Carmel senior Jasmine Minor to another level on the tennis courts.
Minor has lived by the motto, “Be proud and be not satisfied.
It has carried her through this season without losing match (30-0) which included the individual title at the Highland Park sectional Saturday.
“I lived by it for a number of years, Minor said. I'm always motivated to move forward and learn from your mistakes.
Highland Park won its own sectional with 22 points, while Carmel and Mundelein tied for second with 12.
Minor has lost only two sets this fall, one earlier this season to her sectional final opponent Ari Dechter of Mundelein and the other to Stevenson's Alexxis Kiven.
Minor was not satisfied with that result against Dechter.
“I didn't do as well as I should have, Minor said. “It didn't go the way I wanted, even though I got the win.
Minor responded Saturday with a straight-sets victory by scores of 6-1, 6-1.
“I just wanted to stay calm and be aggressive, Minor said. “I might have backed off a bit the last time. I was tired and haven't played a lot of matches. It was a big wake-up for me. This time, I wanted to play my game. It's a good win, but I'm not satisfied. I want to go to state and do the best I can.
Minor finished third in state as a sophomore and sat out last year. But she returned this fall determined for a strong run at state.
“it's a nice goal if I can win it, Minor said. “It's a nice tournament, but there are a number of other nice players out there. It's not going to be an easy win. It's going to be a challenge.
Dechter tried to regain some of the aggressiveness against Minor she displayed in the earlier match.
“I thought (Minor) was on and I was off today, Dechter said. “I wasn't moving my feet too well. I know I need to work harder and stay positive gong into state.
Highland Park advanced each of its singles players, as Jacqueline Baum defeated teammate Lauren Schectman 6-4, 6-1. The Giants won doubles, as Elana Woldenberg/Sarah Raab beat the Mundelein duo of Paige Parola/Ali MacDonald 6-1, 6-3.
The Mustangs' Parola has qualified for state four straight years, a first in school tennis history.
“It's definitely an honor, Parola said. “I've put in a lot of hard work, physical fitness and motivation. Also I spent a lot of time hitting with my dad (Mustangs baseball coach Todd Parola).
Libertyville advanced a doubles team to state MK Lee/Meghan Ahlgrim, who lost in the third-place match to Highland Park's Emily Tresley/Rachel Goldberg 6-2, 2-6, 6-0.
“They just ran out of gas, said Libertyville coach Dan Kiernan, whose girls have played together the last couple of years. “They do work hard and jell together. I've thought about changing the combination. But for those two, they've done well together.