Girls tennis: Scouting Lake County

NORTH SUBURBAN CONFERENCE

LAKE ZURICHCoach: Ted Heiser (third year)

Last season: 7-6, fifth in NSC

Returning players: seniors Sophia de los Reyes, Masha Ignatenko, Anna Biergans, Lauren Bertoia, Lauren Baab, Amy Groeller; sophomores Sofia Bryukhova, Victoria Tchalakov

Newcomers: seniors Katie Kramer, Meredith Schiferl, Madison Short, Emily Angelina, Erin Bajor, Tiffany Yen, Riya Shah.

Noteworthy: The Bears are loaded with a bevy of seniors that will provide depth and leadership throughout the lineup. "This is a tight-knit group that has been with the program for four years and looking to exceed last year's performance," coach Ted Heiser said. "With continued hard work and support for each other, we are looking forward to a successful season."

LIBERTYVILLECoach: Dan Kiernan (15th year)

Last season: third in NSC, third in sectional

Returning players: junior Kiley Nolan; sophomores Lily VanDixhorn, Amanda Black

Newcomers: Brooke Bair, Kathleen Lee, Jacqueline Vu, Rachel Benner, Chloe Bleck, Sadie Eyre, Madeline Jacobs, McKenna Rudolphi, Anna Wolski, Katherine Thomey

Noteworthy: Kiley Nolan anchors a strong doubles lineup, while Lily VanDixhorn and Amanda Black lead the singles contingent.

MUNDELEINCoach: Shelley Majewski (third year)

Last season: fifth in NSC, fourth in sectional

Returning players: seniors Isabel Alviar, Bailey Emil, Rosie Gomez, Citlalli Gonzalez, Abbie Walter; juniors Mikayla Edquiban, Kylie Brua; sophomores Elizabeth Heraty, Alexis Hyde

Newcomers: seniors Stephanie Rivas, Julia Sulicka; sophomore Isabel Sioson; freshman Brenda Mondragon

Noteworthy: Isabel Alviar will attempt to make it to state for the fourth time. "We have a mature group of girls who are very determined and dedicated," coach Shelley Majewski said. "We're looking forward to some great tennis this season." Kylie Brua will anchor No. 2 singles. Alexis Hyde, Mikayla Edquiban and Elizabeth Heraty also bring back experience from the state meet last fall.

STEVENSONCoach: Angela Muresan (first year)

Last season: 18-0, first in NSC, first in sectional, first in state

Returning players: seniors Elizabeth Ferdman, Maggie Gong, Alyssa Glaser; juniors Athena Koll, Ellen Ma

Newcomers: junior Alexis Li; sophomore Abby Schueneman; freshman Alaina Kolli

Noteworthy: The Patriots are set to defend their state title in October. "We have a strong tradition of being very competitive and we don't see that stopping this year," said coach Angela Muresan, who takes over for Tom Stanhope. "It should be a fun season of ups and downs as we navigate the bull's-eye on our back. We will attempt to enjoy the journey and pressure of being the defending state champs." Elizabeth Ferdman returns after finishing fifth in doubles at state with partner Kate Harvey (Michigan State).

WARRENCoach: Vince DeSecki (17th year)

Last season: 19-3, fourth in NSC, Top 48 at state

Returning players: seniors Linsy Jante, Frankie Grimes, Nisha Shiroor; sophomore Olivia Wong

Newcomers: juniors Aneri Shah, Rachel Shugarts; sophomores Jenna Bjorseth, Sohini Dash, Danna Fanizza, Meg Rubino; freshmen Isabelle Grimes, Natalia Zamora

Noteworthy: The Blue Devils lost a solid core of seniors but return a mix of both experienced and inexperienced players. "We plan to rebuild and hopefully be just as competitive," coach Vince DeSecki said. "We have a pretty even talent load across our team so figuring out where players fit in the lineup will be a challenge, and new assistant varsity coach and former Warren all-state doubles player Courtney Sunday has been a great asset in helping develop players' skills along with getting the girls to feel more confident in their match play." Sabrina Mella, a state qualifier last fall, is taking her junior season off to play USTA events.

NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY CONFERENCE

ANTIOCHCoach: Jamie D'Andrea (fifth year)

Last season: 9-9, fifth in NLCC, second in sectional

Returning players: seniors Aubryn Corey, Piper Foote, Megan Lawrence; junior Sierra Ward

Newcomers: juniors Jenny Horner, Zaina Hussain; sophomore Fayth Vesser

Noteworthy: The Sequoits graduated four-time state qualifier Kelsey Neville, the program's winningest player at No. 1 singles. Sierra Ward steps in at first singles. "There might be some growing pains early on in the season as the girls become accustomed to the level of play, since all of them have moved up a level from last year," coach Jamie D'Andrea said. " I think that our squad will often fill the dark horse role, but I'm looking forward to an October sectional that sees multiple Sequoits qualifying for the state tournament."

GRANTCoach: Shea Wintersteen (seventh year)

Returning players: seniors Sophia Bruen, Carly Burgeson, Harshdeep Grewal, Leona Kondic, Karissa Nick

Newcomers: juniors Elis Lelchuk, Natalie Hernandez, Frances Williams, Nicole Zbierzkowski; sophomores Audrey Sampson, Angelica Waight, Stefania Waight; freshman Gianna Vavalle

Noteworthy: The Bulldogs have already experienced success early on this season, winning the Dundee-Crown quad and finishing fourth in the McHenry/Johnsburg tournament.

GRAYSLAKE CENTRALCoach: Chuck Lawson (12th year)

Last season: 12-3, first in NLCC, fourth in sectional

Returning players: seniors Charlie Bloede, Aashna Varma, Emilia Swierczek, Erica Joo; sophomore Mia Falconi

Newcomers: seniors Erin Kwon, Erica Heavin; sophomore Karishma Bhalla

Noteworthy: The Rams lost five key players to graduation but return three seniors with varsity experience. "We aren't sure of the doubles combinations yet, but all of the girls have been playing for several years and have good tennis skills and knowledge of the game," coach Chuck Lawson said. "We should do well in the NLCC."

GRAYSLAKE NORTHCoach: Johnny Kent (first year)

Last season: 9-6, fourth in NLCC, second in NLCC meet

Returning players: seniors Lucy Dalton, Lauren Hansen, Emily Miller; sophomore Hannah Pawlowski

Newcomers: senior Margaret Stanfel; juniors Mindy Kramer, Angie Rodriquez; sophomores Lauren Congalton, Rachel Wrobel, Robyn Knight; freshman Meg George

Noteworthy: After missing last year with a torn ACL, Margaret Stanfel is back at No. 1 doubles, while all-conference doubles players Emily Miller and Lauren Hansen add strength and depth. "We pride ourselves on having players that love the sport and love being around one another, and this group is no exception," said coach Johnny Kent, who also coaches the boys at GN. "We have a great group of girls who are a pleasure to work with and be around. The transition to varsity coach has been smooth as I have coached all of these players in some capacity over the last two years, so we have been able to build off that, and they have done a great job of responding well in the midst of transition."

LAKESCoach: Bryan Plinske (13th year)

Last season: 13-5, second in NLCC meet, first in sectional, 10th in state meet

Returning players: seniors Molly Monson, Kylie Jozwik, Melissa Variny, Natalie Grolmes, Nicole Jones; junior Paige Humpa; sophomore Megan Heuser

Newcomers: senior Carmen Martinez; juniors Kayleigh Smith, Renee Gilliland, Kate Jackson.

Noteworthy: The season looks bright for the Eagles, who return 9 of 11 players with varsity experience. Top-four state finisher Megan Heuser leads the charge at No. 1 singles. "We have some unfinished business: winning the conference championship. But we've been very careful not to expect success," coach Bryan Plinske said. "No one hands you anything in this conference, this sectional. You have to go out and earn it every match."

ROUND LAKECoach: Atom Davis (sixth year)

Last season: seventh in NLCC

Returning players: seniors Jessica Arteaga, Tays Rodriguez, Suzy Albor, Paola Morales

Newcomers: sophomore Natasha Wawrzyniak

Noteworthy: The Panthers return half of last year's starting lineup. "I turn to my experienced players (Tays Rodriguez, Suzy Albor, Paola Morales) to lead the team this year," coach Atom Davis said. "It will certainly be a challenge but I believe we are up to it."

WAUCONDACoach: Ryan Whitfield (fourth year)

Last season: 17-6, 6-1 in NLCC, fifth in sectional, seventh in state meet.

Returning players: seniors Morgan Bilancia, Taylor Splingaire, Maggie Bonefas; junior Grace Lewandowski

Newcomers: juniors Tatiana Gmitrovic, Anamari Velazquez; sophomores Paiton Plucinski, Kati Fuchs, Julia Fohlmeister; freshmen Sophia Esquivel, Megan Hackman

Noteworthy: The Bulldogs boast a strong returning core as well as solid newcomers this season. Megan Hackman and Sophia Esquivel give Wauconda a talented freshman duo at the top two singles spots. "They both have USTA experience and Megan follows her sister Sarah (Hillsdale College) at the No. 1 singles position," coach Ryan Whitfield said. "Our top two doubles teams will be filled by players entering their third year on the varsity. Their experience should raise our competitiveness at doubles, and I am expecting good things from each team." Morgan Bilancia and Taylor Splingaire will play No. 1 doubles. "I think they will be an excellent team as the season progresses," Whitfield said. Maggie Bonefas and Grace Lewandowski are a formidable No. 2 doubles team with significant experience. "We have our deepest team in the past few years," Whitfield said. "Our team goals are to compete for a conference championship and qualify multiple players for the state tournament."

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

CARMELCoach: Chris Kannenberg (sixth year)

Returning players: seniors Allison Bryant, Laurel Racette, Lucy Tarcha, Morgan Terry, Charlotte Titus, Melanie Zimmerman; juniors Lorna Geier, Isabella Holaday, Taylor Spalding, Emma Thomas; sophomores Justine Baladad, Reilly McGinn.

Noteworthy: The Corsairs lost a solid group of seniors but return a solid nucleus.

CENTRAL SUBURBAN LEAGUE NORTH DIVISION

VERNON HILLSCoach: Doug Gerber (18th year)

Last season: 4-18, 1-4 in CSL North, fourth in CSL North meet

Returning players: seniors Lily Meng, Hannah Oppenheim, Ria Subramanian; juniors Anoushka Chaudhry, Jane Rogers; sophomores Claudia Bilkey, Anjali Parande, Amani Vaswani

Newcomers: juniors Carli Amjadi, Nicole Tartakovsky, Meghan Cavolick; freshmen Shriya Avula, Ritika Dashaputra, Natalie Kapelevich, Katie Lee, Sasha Yuzkiv.

Noteworthy: Claudia Bilkey and Ria Subramanian return at No. 1 and 2 singles but will also see some play at doubles as well. Newcomers Shriya Avula and Sasha Yuzkiv have challenged for the No. 1 doubles spot, while last year's No. 3 doubles tandem of Anjali Parande and Amani Vaswani will play No. 2 doubles. "An influx of 5 freshmen with tournament experience will help add depth to the team," coach Doug Gerber said. "With many new faces, getting match play experience is important. We should compete in the CSL North for the third season and hope to compete in the (Class) 1A state tournament."