Better conditions in state tourney; quarterfinals next
Friday’s version of the state tennis tournament was blissfully dry after a rainy Thursday canceled the back draw. That didn’t necessarily bode well for Mid-Suburban League competitors, however.
Following a full day of competition, Hinsdale Central leads the team race with 30 points. New Trier trails with 28 points, and tied for third are Deerfield and Stevenson with 18 apiece.
All MSL entrants were eliminated from the tourney Friday morning.
Buffalo Grove junior doubles team Dana and Lauren Goggin (23-6) notched a victory over Glenbard West senior doubles team Maddie Morris and Hannah Foth 6-0, 6-0 Thursday. In Friday’s second round, the Goggins sisters eked out a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 decision over York juniors Ellen Barry/sophomore Blaire Porter.
In round three, the Goggins faltered in a high-octane battle to a New Trier duo 6-4, 6-4. The Goggins finished in the top 32.
“We met our goals this year,” Dana Goggin said. “We wanted to go a little further. It takes a lot of mental strength. You want to play the game to the best of your ability. If you lose you lose, you just have to know you played your best and I think we did that.”
The Barrington duo of senior Kate Allison and junior Zoe Kasiurak (23-3), seeded 9-16, was upset in the second round Friday. After blanking Elgin Academy’s Lauren Ficken/Jordan Kaufman 6-0, 6-0, Glenbard West duet Samantha Rody/Mackenzie Schafer ousted the Barrington duo 7-6 (7), 6-3.
Barrington senior doubles team Alia Nejdawi/Haley Mallon (19-6) and juniors Lucia Stumbras (10-11) both were eliminated in the first round. Nejdawi/Mallon lost to Crystal Lake South sophomore Kelsey Laktash/junior Rachel Siemon 6-4, 6-2, while Stumbras fell to Belleville West freshman Kayleigh Thurwalker 6-0, 6-3.
“When you get down to it, Glenbard West played really well,” Barrington coach Tracy Waters-Miller said in regards to Kasiurak/Allison. “We didn’t bring our best game. They wish they could have gotten farther in the tournament.
“It’s bittersweet to watch them grow from being essentially little girls (in regards to Nejdawi, Mallon and Allison). I’ll miss them. They were delightful to be around. I always get bummed out at the end of the year (due to graduating seniors).”
Prospect lost both state tournament contenders in the first round. Prospect senior Maggie Partridge (19-7) split sets with Glenbard South junior Mariasole Rinclari Thursday, but the Knight senior fell short Friday, dropping the last set 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. On Thursday, Prospect doubles team senior Tracy Becherer/sophomore Katie Best bowed out after Highland Park junior doubles Sarah Raab/Rachel Goldberg defeated them 6-1, 6-0.
“It was clearly the best tennis she played all year in the first set,” said coach Mike McColaugh of Partridge. “(Rinclari) played flawlessly in the second and third sets. There was nothing to be disappointed about. It’s nice to have two qualifying. After running sectionals, watching (Partridge, Becherer and Best), it was icing on the cake.”
Hoffman Estates sophomore singles player Courtney Lang (20-2) won against her first-round opponent Auburn senior Jessica Song 6-2, 6-3 Thursday. Lang’s second-year bid would come to an end after St. Thomas More junior Madie Baillon beat the Hoffman sophomore 7-6, 6-1.
“Last year we lost the first match and the back draw,” said Hoffman coach Greg Rouse. “She has her preferred shots, which in most cases works. She needs a plan ‘B.’ Hopefully, we can build on this for next season.”
Rolling Meadows first-time qualifying sophomore tandem Allie and Jackie Kemph (19-9) faltered in their first round of play to Edwardsville senior doubles team Jessica Burns/Tess Severin 7-6 (5), 6-1.
“We lost to a really decent team,” said Rolling Meadows coach Jim Gumz. “(The Kemphs) are still sophomores learning how to play together. They’re three-sport athletes, but don’t have the tennis know-how yet. We need to do some work in the summer and we’ll be a solid team.”
The tournament reconvenes today at 8 a.m. today at Prospect for the quarterfinals.