Scouting DuPage County girls tennis
Top teams: Hinsdale Central, Benet, Glenbard West, Timothy Christian, Wheaton Academy, Naperville Central, Hinsdale South, Neuqua Valley.
Top players: Benet: Kendall Schrader, so.; Caroline Arnold, sr.; Allyce Gaborik, fr.; Daniella Nenadovich, fr.; Downers Grove North: Julia Paterak,jr.; Downers Grove South: Gerda Jucys, fr.; Jillian Urgello, fr.; Abby Davenport, sr.; Anna Buie, sr.; Glenbard East: Kolie Allen, sr.; Glenbard North: Sage Hills, fr.; Olivia Mondlock, sr.; Glenbard South: Nicole Campbell, sr.; Hannah Jennings, sr.; Katie Long, sr.; Glenbard West: Sienna Lopez, so.; Molly Rueth, sr.; Grace Giffin, sr.; Hinsdale Central: Olivia Oosterbaan, jr.; Carolyn Ahn, so.; Kasia Treiber, fr.; Amanda Cashman, sr.; Layo Adelakun, jr.; Hinsdale South: Natalie Axelrod, sr.; Aimee Puz, jr.; Agata Mikos, jr.; Marta Mikos, jr.; Sylwia Mikos, fr. Lake Park: Nina Pasquini, jr.; Nancy Cozzi, jr.; Alexis Belmonte, sr.: Analisa Cruz, fr.; Maeve Casey; jr.; Angela Pasquini, fr. Metea Valley: Taylor Goldman, so.; Abbey Woods, jr.; Meera Baid, fr.; Natalia Kochkodan. fr.; Montini: Tania Yunez, sr.; Ava Gianatasio, sr.; Naperville Central: Jacquelyne Qi, so.; Natalie Atkins, sr.; Elaine Liu, jr.; Nina Raab, jr.; Katie Liu, fr.; Naperville North: Kavya Rachapalli, jr.; Chandani Bansal, jr.; Neuqua Valley: Veena Murali, sr.; Hanna Beck, jr.; Hannah Neuman, so.; Audrey Provine, so.; Jessica Chivini, fr.; St. Francis: Alyssa Gulli, sr.; Gina Vale, jr.; Marnie Kopec, so.; Timothy Christian: Abygale Ahn, jr.; Cassandra Lee, fr.; Waubonsie Valley: Hannah Owens, jr.; Wheaton Academy: Bethany Hoogerheide, sr.; Olivia Hamm, so.; Ellie Howland, so., Carly Chan, fr.; Wheaton North: Madeline Fidel, jr.; Sophia Block, so.; Wheaton Warrenville South: Samantha Choi, jr.; Emily Orlove, so.; Liza Dreyer, jr.; Willowbrook: Grace Wachhold, jr. York: Melissa Cartis, so.; Cate Duhig, so.; Gianna Nikoleit, fr.
Scouting report: Benet played the postseason in Class 1A with the smaller schools and won the state title. The reward for the Redwings was to move up to Class 2A, so as Benet coach Michael Hand said, "Last year was great and the girls are thrilled and proud, but that's ancient history." The Redwings begin the year with Schrader, their best player, continuing her long road back from the herniated disc that kept her out last year. "She's an accomplished player," Hand said. "But getting back to full strength will be a slow process." Gaborik is fighting to gain the first-singles spot as a freshman, while last year's No. 1 Arnold could move to doubles. The coach has good veteran talent behind these three and he's hoping for a top 15 Class 2A finish.
The DuPage Valley Conference will be a mad scramble this year with strong teams bunched at the top and great young talent throughout. Most teams are blessed with an outstanding No. 1 singles player, some of whom may be playing doubles when the sectional rolls around. And no singles player goes into the season more highly rated than Wheaton Warrenville South's Choi. The Tigers junior finished sixth at state last year, and she's certainly in contention for the top spot this year. "Sam is very athletic, she's fast and she has great balance," said Tigers coach Patti Clousing. "And she has a lot of weapons, including a huge shot selection." Sophomore Orlove, who played mostly second singles but got a number of first singles matches last year, is the perfect sparring partner for Choi. "Emily is rock solid consistent and she can challenge anyone in the conference," Clousing said. "The two of them are fortunate that they have each other to go against in practice every day." The Tigers could be a threat to contend with the teams in the upper echelon of the DVC this year because the middle of the lineup is stronger than it's been in years. Dreyer leads what could be a formidable doubles lineup once all the pairings are set.
Defending conference champion Naperville Central is loaded again this year, led by Qi who was top 12 at state. She takes her place at the top of the lineup with six other fine players competing for the other top singles and doubles spots. Qi had a great freshman year and she hopes to get into the top eight this year. "She's become more of an all-around player by improving her serve and her net game," said Naperville Central coach Dan Brown. "And she's got impressive match toughness." Atkins and Elaine Liu both qualified for state in doubles with partners who are now graduated. "Our goals are to win conference, win sectional and get as many as possible to the state tournament," Brown said. "We're hoping for a top-15 finish at state."
Second-place Neuqua Valley returns a trio of state qualifiers from a team that finished at No. 16 at state. The Wildcats have some rebuilding to do but still hope to finish in the top 15 as well. Murali was in the top 48 at state. She's a smart, experienced player who moves the ball around a lot. Neuman and Beck made it to state as a doubles team. "They complement each other in their games and in their personalities," said coach Trudy Bennorth. "Neuman is feisty and Beck is more of a calming influence. They're both very good closing at the net."
Wheaton North's lineup is headed by two-time state qualifier Fidel who won four matches in the state tournament to finish top 32. "Madeline is a smart player," coach Eric Laird said. "She's added depth and pace and we expect her to take the next step." The Falcons are hoping to break into the top three in conference.
Naperville North is led by Rachapalli, who qualified in doubles last year but will be at the head of the singles lineup in 2017. "She's really lifted her game to a higher level," said Huskies coach Heather Henricksen. The Huskies were third in the DVC and their hopes for competing for the championship hinge on the development of a trio of freshmen who will start. "These girls are true tennis players with a lot of upside to their game," Henricksen said.
Waubonsie Valley's shining star is Owens, a state qualifier, and first singles in what will be a young lineup. "Hannah is a very steady player," coach Phil Galow said. "And this year she's playing with more power."
Metea Valley features Goldman, who made it to state in singles as a freshman. She's capable of getting back there, but she and Woods have been working as a doubles team in the off-season and that could be their clearest path to state. "They can both cover the court and they love coming to the net," said Metea Valley first-year coach Kole Clousing, son of WW South coach Patti Clousing. He has his eye on fourth place in conference.
Lake Park had one of its best seasons in a long time and returns three state qualifiers and still finished seventh in the DVC. Freshman Cruz will play first singles in the Lancers quest to move up to fifth in the conference.
Glenbard North will also have a freshman at first singles in Hills, a veteran of the USTA circuit with a national ranking. "She has a great forehand and she's not afraid to come to the net," coach Caroline Gonzalez said. "She could also play some doubles." The Panthers are deeper and more competitive than they've been in years.
Hinsdale Central won another state title last year and the Red Devils with Oosterbaan, top eight in singles, and Ahn, sixth in doubles, at the head of the lineup will be going for the gold once again. "In addition we have solid players who are looking for a breakthrough season," said first-year coach Shawna Zsinko. "Beyond Oosterbaan and Ahn, we don't have the big stars, but there are at least 10 girls who are very good and should help us compete for the state title."
Glenbard West, which was fourth at state returns Lopez, who finished in the top 12 in singles, and the doubles team of Rueth and Giffin who were also top 12. "We would need a third qualifier to break into the top five again," said Hilltoppers first-year coach Kevin Graham. "We're deep and experienced so it will just be a matter of putting our people in the right positions."
Hinsdale South, which will be led by the three Mikos sisters, will be a team to watch this year. Coach Steve Snider believes that if things develop the way he believes they can, the Hornets will challenge the elites.
York is another team with a sensational freshman in Nikoleit, who along with a savvy group of veterans will be trying to help the Dukes move up in West Suburban Conference and make an impact at state. And also look for a good season from Downers Grove South as freshmen Jucys and Urgello lead the Mustangs back into prominence.
In Class 1A Wheaton Academy which finished 10th at state, and Timothy Christian at No. 11, will be the class of the field. For Wheaton Academy, Hamm, who qualified in doubles, will move to singles, where she will be challenged by freshman Chan. "It was exciting to make a dent at state," coach Heather Green said. "Even though we graduated four of five state qualifiers, we're looking to go top 10 again." The Warriors were Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division champs last year. Glenbard South with eight returning seniors will compete with Wheaton Academy for the division title. Timothy Christian finished 11th at state after winning the Metro Suburban Red Division. "We should be the heavy favorite to win again," coach Keith Mills said. Ahn, who finished in the top eight at singles, is a fine athlete who can play a baseline or attacking game. She could play some doubles. Lee is another one of those great freshmen.
St. Francis under new coach Tom Castronovo led by returning qualifier Vale, has a strong top of lineup at singles and doubles and should be a factor in the postseason.
Key dates: Sept. 2: Downers Grove South Team Tournament; Sept. 5: Glenbard South at Timothy Christian; Sept. 6: Benet at Naperville North; Sept. 7: Waubonsie Valley at Neuqua Valley; Sept. 9: Waubonsie Valley Varsity Challenge; Sept. 12: Neuqua Valley at Wheaton Warrenville South; Sept. 12: Metea Valley at Wheaton North; Sept. 18: Glenbard West at Naperville Central; Sept. 19: Wheaton Academy at Glenbard South; Sept. 21: Naperville Central at Naperville North; Sept. 23: Wheaton North Quad; Sept. 30: Tigers Doubles Invite at Wheaton Warrenville South; Sept. 30: Naperville North Invitational; Oct. 6: Conference tournaments; Oct. 13-14: Sectional tournaments; Oct. 19-21 state tournament.