Bartlett girls ready to shine at state

The five Bartlett girls tennis players who will play in the IHSA state tennis tournament that begins Thursday know their secret. And it’s as simple as having great team chemistry and working hard every single day. It’s this positive attitude that will be the key as they seek success this weekend on courts around the Northwest suburbs.

Sophomore Jennifer Gates will get her shot in singles play in the state finals, while a pair of doubles players will get their chance as well. The senior duo Kaylen Kress and Katie Gates, along with the tandem of senior Jen Parato and sophomore Gabby Gregorio make up the doubles teams that will head to the big dance, and they all welcome the challenge.

“Our mental game is really good,” said Katie Gates, who helped lead the Hawks to the St. Charles East sectional title last weekend. “We don’t give up on each other.”

“We help each other out a lot,” Kress added.

Jen Gates knows how hard this team has been working, and feels confident that they can go far as long as they focus on the right things during their state matches.

“The key for us was definitely that everybody worked so hard at practice,” she said. “Everyone was focused as soon as they got here, and they worked really hard. I think the key for state is for everyone to just go out there and focus on every point; to not be outcome-oriented and be more process-oriented.”

As far as doubles play goes, the key to success is how well the two pairs work together.

“We practiced every day,” said Gregorio. “And when we go on the court we always have the right mindset. We work really well together, and we have good strategies and communication.”

“Having good teamwork,” added Parato. “We’re pretty compatible. Having a strong doubles partner is the key.”

Hawks’ coach Sue Hannula also knows why her state-bound girls are successful, especially when it comes to the veteran players.

“I’ve had most of them for three years now,” said Hannula. “They listen to me really well, and they practice hard. They’re open to what I’m trying to teach them. With the seniors, it’s maturity. Everybody wants to go out from their senior year on a real high, and these girls are no exception.”

Athletes play the sports they do for many reasons; whether they love to compete, or love accepting all the challenges their sport brings. While tennis brings a higher level of individual competition compared to other sports, the Bartlett girls still remember that they are a team and the reason they love being on the court is because they have fun with it as well as having that passion and desire to compete.

“I like being competitive,” said Jen Gates. “I like the fact that someone is over there trying to win too. It’s kind of like tug-of-war. I really love it, I love everything about it.”

“It’s fun,” said Kress. “It’s just really fun. It’s a sport that Katie and I have picked up really quickly.”

“I just like the pace of the game,” added Katie Gates. “You could interact with your opponents and still be a good opponent.”

“Tennis is harder than most people think it is,” said Gregorio. “It’s intense.”

“It’s one of those sports that you can do for the rest of your life,” said Parato. “It’s just fun.”

The playoffs in tennis offer extra intensity to an already competitive sport, and the Bartlett girls know the difference in style when it comes to postseason play.

“It’s a lot different,” said Jen Gates. “There are a lot of players out there and they’re all very tough.”

“I think the competition gets tougher as you keep going further in,” said Katie Gates. “It’s just more fun that way because you get a lot more practice.”

Gregorio says preparation will be a key.

“It’s going to be tough,” she said. “There are going to be a lot of tough players there, and we need to be ready for the tough shots that they have.”

Parato agrees.

“It’s definitely a lot more intense,” she added. “You really have to focus on these matches. Every point matters, so you just have to hit them hard.”

Jen Gates and her teammates knew exactly what was needed in practice to ensure she and her teammates are fully prepared for the challenge ahead.

“Hitting a lot of shots, and a lot of footwork,” she said. “Definitely getting timing down. Everybody has a 50-50 chance of winning each match, so you have to be ready.”

“We’re going to expect really hard play,” said Katie Gates. “A lot of hard balls coming back at us, so we’re probably going to practice a lot of volleys.”

Like any other playoff team, the Bartlett girls have a tradition when getting psyched up for games, which reflects the team chemistry and the support they have for each other.

“We all get in a circle, and Jen Parato gives a big pep talk,” said Jen Gates. “We do a team cheer, and everyone gets pumped up.”

“For every tournament or meet we’ve ever had we always do a team cheer,” said Gregorio. “Always.”

Jen Gates will take on Olivia Ray of Moline at Buffalo Grove High School in the first round. Kress and Katie Gates will take on Charlotte Hoogland and Caley Howland of Glenbrook South at Conant High School, while Parato and Gregorio will face Kaitlyn Kuper and Grace Hilgenbrink of Lincoln-Way Central at Rolling Meadows High School.