Redhawks brothers won't let rain stop march to postseason
The Naperville Central doubles team of Frank and Mark Bicek continued their improvement and their march to high seeds in the conference and sectional tournaments with a pair of impressive wins over Benet and Homewood-Flossmoor at the rain-shortened Downers Grove South Team Tournament on Saturday.
Frank, a senior, and Mark, a junior, are 8-1 together this season, with their only loss coming to the Hinsdale Central duo of Dan Ballantine and Ian Tesmond, who finished fifth in state last year.
"Both Frank and Mark are experienced doubles players and they work well together," said Naperville Central coach Dan Brown. "Frank has good hands and moves very well at the net and Mark has an outstanding return game."
The Redhawks, who are now 9-2, will play at next week's Pitchford Tournament at Hersey, which features 32 of the top teams in the state.
Freshman Michael Baiocchi seems to be arriving ahead of schedule.
The talented Neuqua Valley freshman has shown the steadiness of a veteran and he's starting to gain confidence as he puts victories together.
"Michael is growing into his tennis game," said Neuqua Valley coach Trudy Bennorth. "He knows how to set up points. He's extremely strong on the baseline and he hits some nice angles, hitting with topspin and moving people around. He will be a tough competitor. I'm excited for him for the future."
J.P. Sullivan has developed into a jack-of-all-trades for Benet.
He won his singles match against Waubonsie Valley in the Downers Grove South Tournament on Saturday, before dropping a 6-4, 7-5 decision to Shawn Hong of Naperville Central.
Benet coach Michael Hand is still not sure where Sullivan's permanent spot will be, but he appreciates the senior's versatility and eagerness to play wherever he's needed.
"J.P. gives our team flexibility," Hand said. "Whatever we ask him to do, he does, and he quietly does an outstanding job. When we finally decide on a lineup, I'll make the decisions based on the strengths of other people and he'll fit in wherever we need him. He's a great team player."
Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bob Cherry still has some questions about his doubles lineup, but the development of sophomore Nick Geannopulos is coming along just fine as the No. 2 singles behind outstanding first-singles Jimmy Li.
Geannopulos, who is in his first year on varsity, won two matches.
"Nick is really using his head and strategizing on the court," said Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bob Cherry. "He makes opponents work for their points, he has a good forehand and the ability to put away shots when the opponent is at the net. He's figuring out the varsity tennis game quickly and maturing at a rapid rate."
Downers Grove North coach Andrew Klamm is getting more and more impressed with his second doubles team of Peter Ralph and Max Meegan.
They won three matches Saturday before the rains wiped out the tournament and in their second match they stepped into the No. 1 doubles position and quickly made themselves comfortable.
"They're really playing high-impact tennis," said Trojans coach Andrew Klamm. "The work they're getting at first-doubles will help them gain some ground at the sectional seeding meeting."