Lakes' Yopp, Haylock double their pleasure

The plan came together before the tennis season began.

As singles players, Lakes seniors Andrew Yopp and Randall Haylock knew they would face brutal competition to advance to the state tournament. That's the price you pay for playing in a loaded tennis sectional that includes teams such as Warren and Lake Forest.

The doubles competition, while formidable, would not quite be at that level.

"We decided to give it a go in doubles," Haylock said.

Have they ever.

Yopp and Haylock ran its record to 26-1 with a 6-1, 6-4 home victory Tuesday over Vernon Hills' Riaz Hoveydai and Sam Rong.

Lakes won all five matches and stayed perfect in the North Suburban Prairie Division. The Eagles meet visiting Antioch on Thursday with the Prairie title on the line. Vernon Hills' division record dropped to 2-2.

While Lakes coach Bryan Plinske was expecting Yopp and Haylock to play well, he could not have predicated such a lofty record.

"You don't just put two good players out there and (automatically) have a good doubles team," he said. "I knew it would be a special doubles team, but I didn't realize how special it would be."

Lakes' only loss came to one of the state's best doubles teams, Stevenson's Ross Putterman and David Packowitz

"I get him fired up and he helps me stay under control," Haylock said.

Yopp said a key match early in the season was a victory over Benet Academy where every set went to a tiebreak. Lakes responded to the pressure by winning the final 4 points of the match.

"We knew we were pretty good after that," he said.

They certainly proved that to Vernon Hills. The Eagles dominated the first set and then held off the Cougars in the second set.

"They can hit some shots that are close to what the (doubles teams) from Warren and Stevenson can do," Rong said.

Added Hoveydai: "They were the most consistent and toughest team we've played this year. They played a fantastic match."

Hoveydai and Rong have been pretty good in their own right. Prior to the Lakes match, their only loss was to Lake Forest.

Last year, Hoveydai was paired with seven different players.

"It's a lot better having one doubles partner because it makes it much easier to communicate," Hoveydai said. "Sam has a strong baseline game from singles and my strong point is at the net. It's a good balance."

Rong said Hoveydai is a steadying influence on the court.

"I'm an emotional player and he's there to bring me in," Rong said.

Lakes' two other doubles victories came in three sets. The No. 2 team of Mike Chernetsky and Andrew Flick scored a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 victory. At No. 3 doubles, Scott Boersma and Taylor Breum won 6-1, 3-6, 6-2.

Near the end of the second set, Chernetsky and Flick were pressing. They moved to a two-back formation and started to settle down.

"They built confidence and got back into rhythm," Plinske said. "They started having fun again and believing in themselves."

Lakes senior Joey Davis, who played doubles last year, scored a 6-0, 6-2 victory over David Alvaro.

"I was missing (shots), and he got the ball back well," Alvaro said.

At No. 2 singles, Josh Rosenberg served his way to a 6-3, 6-0 victory.

After the match was over, Lakes shifted its focus to Antioch.

"This was a big victory for us," Davis said. "We've been playing really solid, and it gives us the opportunity to win the division against Antioch."