WW South's Clousing takes 2nd
Day 3 of the IHSA Tennis State Tournament singles final emulated a battle of two powerhouse superheroes.
Carmel senior Jasmine Minor, one of the most talented players on the field faced off against Wheaton Warrenville South freshman Keisha Clousing.
Minor ultimately defeated Clousing in a two-hour, 20-minute 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) victory to take home the state championship.
“(Keisha) is definitely realizing she can play,” said Wheaton Warrenville South coach Patti Clousing, Keisha's mother. “She stayed focus, believed in her, and was ready to bring her game to the next level.
“This is the great part of high school tennis. When you go to (off-season tournaments), all you have is your parents watching. Here the entire team stuck by her the whole way.”
After relocating to Forest View Racquet Club in Arlington Heights when rain hit the Prospect courts, Minor defeated Glenbrook North senior Hannah Yu 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 and with a 7-5, 6-3 victory Clousing also advanced to the finals.
The finals began with Minor jumping to a 5-0 lead to Clousing. She ultimately rallied to steal three games before Minor completed the first set 6-3.
“I didn't exactly know how to figure out her game,” Clousing said. “We had played each other once when I was 9 (years old), and she really beat me bad.”
In the second set Minor led 2-1. However, Clousing gained momentum after winning three consecutive games. Following a back-and-forth second set, Clousing and Minor were tied 6-6.
Minor jumped to a quick 5-1 lead in the tiebreaker, but Clousing returned suit coming back 6-5. Minor closed out the win after a shot that threw Clousing off-kilter. Clousing flicked a backhand on the sideout, and Carmel fans rushed the court.
“Any player here can win this, but it's all about how long you can compete,” said Minor, who took her junior year off after placing third in state her sophomore year. “(Clousing and I) were exhausted. I was ready to go and fired up. I didn't expect this.”
Lake Forest registered a state championship victory with 43 points.
Lake Forest had sophomore singles player Maddie Lipp and two doubles teams make it to Day 3, gaining them enough points to edge defending champion Hinsdale Central with 36, while New Trier took a 33-point third-place finish.
“I feel pure joy right now,” said Lake Forest coach Denise Murphy. “It was nice to see the girls get the championship trophy today. They've been chasing that for a while.
“The cohesiveness of the team actualized our full potential. Everyone fought hard, and I'm proud of everyone.”
Hinsdale Central sophomore duo Marika Cusick/Caroline Lorenzini became doubles state champs after defeating Lake Forest Haleigh McPeek/Elizabeth Zordani 6-2, 6-3. Cusick and Lorenzini went undefeated all season.
“We didn't have an easy draw,” Cusick said. “We stayed positive and played our game as much as we could. This is really exciting.”