Boys tennis: Maine South freshman Kostov captures singles crown at Palatine invite
It was the kind of April day that asks for a little patience.
Sunlight without warmth. Tennis balls popping in the distance. Matches unfolding here and there, some seen, others only heard about later.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, a freshman began to make a name.
Maine South’s Krystian Kostov, playing at No. 1 singles, moved through the draw with a steadiness that didn’t call attention to itself — until it had to. By the end of the day, it meant a 6-0, 6-3 win over St. Charles East senior Teige Donehoo in the championship match at the Palatine invite.
“I was very impressed with how Krystian handled himself,” Hawks coach Jerry Smith said. “He did an amazing job constructing points and closing when he saw an opening. His consistency, coupled with his ability to finish points at the net, helped him win the tournament.”
The performance helped lift Maine South to third place (21 points) in a tourney staged at Palatine and Rolling Meadows. New Trier finished first with 33 points, followed by Naperville Central (29), Palatine (18), O’Fallon (16), St. Charles East (14), Rolling Meadows (11) and Lake Zurich (3).
If Kostov’s run felt like something just beginning, New Trier’s day looked like something already established.
In an eight-team bracket that produced an unusual symmetry, each of the three doubles finals matched New Trier against Naperville Central. The outcomes were the same each time — the Trevians, composed and efficient, winning in straight sets.
At No. 1 doubles, Leo Appel and Grant Ettelson defeated Nick Tangedahl and Jaithra Shreeram 6-2, 6-0. Andrew Batson and Will Wyner followed with a 6-1, 6-4 win at No. 2, and Sam Okon and Arman Shaikh completed the sweep at No. 3, 6-1, 6-2.
Naperville Central’s pairs are still learning one another, still figuring out where points begin and end together.
“We tried to extend rallies and win points that way,” Shreeram said. “We have to work on keeping our cool and playing good tennis.”
“New Trier’s net play is their top strength,” Tangedahl added.
At No. 2 doubles, NC’s Isaac Liu saw it in longer terms.
“It’s early, and we’ve only been playing together for a month,” he said. “It’s all about racking up experience at this point in the season.”
There were other pieces, too, the kind that fill out a day like this.
Palatine senior Ishhaan Mishra, finishing third at No. 1 singles, carried himself the way his coach has come to expect.
“He’s a strong leader with an outstanding work ethic,” Pirates coach Brody Muck said. “He’s got stamina, and mentally he’s resilient.”
Teammate Krish Handa, fourth at No. 2 singles, brought his own edge.
“His forehand is flat and powerful,” Muck said. “He’s got a strong motor … always up for challenges.”
Rolling Meadows seniors Evan Kallas and Kevin Malik, fourth at No. 2 doubles, leaned on something simpler — time.
“They never seem to get rattled,” Mustangs coach Jesse Burleson said. “It’s finesse, placement … thinking through points like a chess match. It also helps that they’ve known each other since preschool.”
And Lake Zurich’s Szymon Mikowski, sixth at No. 2 singles, offered another version of value.
“He’s quite a leader, always there for the team,” Bears coach Mike Byrd said. “Low-maintenance.”
Two sites scattered the day. A pair of head-turners — a freshman worth noticing and a program that knows exactly what it’s doing in doubles — pulled it neatly back together.