Neuqua Valley defeats South Elgin
Neuqua Valley’s boys tennis team has just about everything needed to defend its Upstate Eight Conference crown — everything, that is except match toughness.
In only their third dual meet of the season, the undefeated host Wildcats topped visiting South Elgin 6-1, with decisive wins in six of the seven flights.
“We have played so few matches that we don’t even know what we want to work on yet,” said Wildcats coach Trudy Bennorth before Tuesday’s meet. “We have a lot of depth, and most of our players have looked good. But we haven’t even played in a tournament yet.”
Dual meets against Barrington and Naperville North the next two days and then the Naperville North Invitational on the weekend should put the Wildcats in fighting shape.
“The next few days will be a real eye-opener,” Bennorth said.
With first singles Michael Baiocchi and first doubles Andi Kosova missing from Tuesday’s lineup, Bennorth moved up both of her No. 2s to the first flight.
Normal second doubles Nick Wright and Kenneth Hoffman rang up a decisive 6-0, 6-0 win at first doubles, but second singles Tim Worley lost his three-setter 7-5, 6-7, 6-3 to South Elgin’s Andre Norasith.
Both Worley and Norasith are returning state qualifiers, and Worley won their three-set match last year.
“Andre improves with every match,” said South Elgin coach Brett Johnson. “He’s a very good player and the kind of competition he faced today will really help his game.”
“Norasith is a nice competitor,” Bennorth said. “He has great shots and he never gives up.”
Wright and Hoffman, who give the Wildcats a strong second-doubles partnership, were comfortable as a duo and had no trouble moving up to No. 1 against South Elgin.
“Our chemistry is getting better,” Wright said. “We strategize well, we’re athletic and we stay calm. I think we have a good shot at making state together.”
“Our games are pretty much equal all around,” Hoffman said. “We’re working on our communication on the court. Today we did a good job of getting our shots in despite the windy conditions early in the match.”
Bennorth was generally encouraged by the work of her doubles teams, especially with Wright and Hoffman.
“I’m pleased with them,” Bennorth said. “They’re really focused. They’re moving a lot to the net and working on different formations. I like that they’re changing things up a lot.”
After watching her team play on Wednesday, Bennorth had a better idea about what she will emphasize in upcoming practices and matches.
“Some of our doubles teams need to close the net a little better,” she said. “And we have to work at our serving. But basically I was pretty happy with what I saw today.”