MSL doubles teams court success
Area doubles teams have embodied the trend for girls tennis success.
With sectionals looming this weekend, these doubles teams set their sights on the IHSA state tournament throughout the Northwest suburbs starting Oct. 20.
Barrington has had a strong tradition of state qualifiers and contenders. After notching an 18th consecutive Mid-Suburban League team title, the Fillies seek another stellar postseason as they enter the Rolling Meadows sectional this weekend.
Fillies senior Kate Allison and junior Zoe Kasuriak and Alia Nejdawi all have state tournament experience. Kasuriak, who was part of the No. 1 doubles team last season, partnered up in the 2011 campaign with Allison after Heather Ciskowski swapped sports this year for golf.
Nejdawi, a piece of the 2010 No. 2 doubles team with Allison, welcomed senior teammate Haley Mallon.
Kasuriak/Allison (18-2) won the MSL’s No. 1 doubles title and Nejdawi/Mallon (16-4) won at the No. 2 slot. Both teams appear to be favorites for the Rolling Meadows sectional Friday and Saturday as they battle much of the same competition they defeated in the MSL tourney.
“Haley (Mallon), Alia (Nejdawi) and Kate (Allison) have taken leadership very seriously,” said Barrington coach Tracy Waters-Miller. “Everybody counts (in the sectional). Conference was fun and we just keep playing together as a team. (For Allison/Kasuriak) we’re hoping for a top-16 (state) seed.”
Buffalo Grove’s junior team of Dana and Lauren Goggin finished in second at the MSL Tourney. The twin sisters (21-6) displayed their offseason maturation after defeating a difficult No. 1 Highland Park team earlier in the season. The Goggins were state qualifiers in 2010.
The Goggins hope they can repeat last year’s results in the Stevenson sectional.
“Dana and Lauren played 2½ good matches (at the MSL tournament),” said BG coach Kevin Schrammel. “Unfortunately they came up just short against a solid Barrington team (Allison/Kasuriak). I am, however, optimistic with these two girls. Their games have improved drastically over the past two years and they always play their best tennis once the sectional tourney starts.”
Fellow MSL East twin sisters, Rolling Meadows sophomores Allie and Jackie Kemph, took big strides this year. The Kemphs recorded a third-place finish in the MSL and hope for a top four sectional seed.
Earlier this season, the Kemph duo (17-7) won 6-0 in the first set of a dual match against Hersey senior doubles team Olivia Hirt/Megan Boyle. After faltering 0-3, the Kemphs got hot and won 6-0, 6-4.
The Kemphs tallied regular-season victories over sectional foes Elk Grove, Conant, Lake Park, Prospect, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and Fremd.
“(Our earlier season meet with Hersey), was an encouraging match,” said Meadows coach Jim Gumz. “We are hoping for a top four seed. I believe we have a solid chance to qualify for the state meet.”
Fremd senior Maggie Lundholm is no stranger to the state tournament. Lundholm and her former partner stunned teams in the sectionals and state tournament last season.
Lundholm teams up with senior Shannon Segin in 2011. Segin, who was the former No. 1 singles player, was sidelined in 2011 because of a knee injury. Segin/Lundholm were 4-2 in conference and finished the MSL tourney fifth.
“The girls were seeded at the fifth spot, so they ended up where they were predicted,” said Fremd coach Lauren Hall. “I think they have a great chance for qualifying based on who they have beat in our sectional and them both being seniors with a lot of experience for matches under pressure.”
Hersey senior doubles team Olivia Hirt/Megan Boyle were seeded fourth in the MSL tournament and finished that way. Hirt/Boyle (10-13) enjoyed their success.
“They need to be more open-minded about strategy during the match,” said Hersey coach Sharon Meintzer. “They could get in at least two wins if all goes their way in their sectional matches, if they play some lower seeds in the first round.”
Barrington, Fremd, Rolling Meadows and Hersey all battle each other at the Rolling Meadows sectional, while Buffalo Grove enters the tournament at Stevenson.