Scouting Lake County girls tennis
Players to watch
Ashley Barillas, sr., Grayslake Central; Trishala Chari, frosh., Stevenson; Melissa DeCicco, sr., Carmel; Ari Dechter, frosh., Mundelein; Gabbi Demchenko, frosh., Stevenson; Taryn Doherty, sr., Grant; Michelle Dutt, jr, Warren; Kristina Eilers, sr., Carmel; Lindsey Gallagher, jr., Vernon Hills; Jenny Horner, sr., Warren; Sophia Kannenberg, jr., Carmel; Nicole Klein, soph., Libertyville; Eileen Lee, sr., Libertyville; Ali MacDonald, soph., Mundelein; Hanne MacDonald, sr., Mundelein; Juliana McLain, sr., Vernon Hills; Emily Paul, jr., Libertyville; Paige Parola, jr., Mundelein; Sarah Paulson, soph., Libertyville; Kelly Poggensee-Wei, soph., Grayslake North; Taylor Pooley, jr., Lakes; Alex Schmidt, sr, Warren; Courtney Schmidt, sr., Warren; Jennifer Sims, sr., Stevenson; Caroline Sims, jr., Stevenson; Elina Shapiro, sr., Vernon Hills; Nicki Tiffany, sr., Lakes; Adrianna Werneke, sr., Grayslake Central.
Team outlook
•
Junior Jasmine Minor, who last year placed third in the state for Carmel, is being homeschooled. This affords her more flexibility with her travel to national tournaments. Coach Nancy Fehn said Minor is expected to rejoin the team as a senior. As for this year's team, junior Sophia Kannenberg will move up to No. 1 singles. The No. 1 doubles team will consist of Kristina Eilers and Melissa DeCicco. Seniors Kristen Orlowski and Blair Carlson earned the spot at No. 2 doubles. -
•
Grant returns the bulk of its roster from last year's team which came on at the end of the season. The Bulldogs have the composure you would expect from a veteran squad. Seniors Taryn Doherty and Jessica Ring will play No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively. Most of Grant's players are multi-sport athletes. Key newcomers include Roxanna Stancioiu, Becky Tokarz and Lauren Leska.
•
Grayslake Central's top of the singles lineup features Adrianna Werneke and Ashley Barillas. Werneke had a winning record as a junior and was selected as the Rams' MVP. Barillas worked on her game over the summer and should have success at No. 2 singles. The No. 1 doubles team of Samantha Bohner and Alexa Cabaltera gained valuable varsity experience as sophomores.
•
Grayslake North sophomore Kelly Poggensee-Wei was the first tennis state qualifier in school history. This year, she is in position to make a run deep into the state tournament. Despite being hearing impaired, senior Fiona Caflisch pairs with senior Lainey Pasternak at No. 1 doubles.
•
Lakes will try to defend its Prairie Division title. The Eagles feature Taylor Pooley and Nicki Tiffany at No. 1 doubles. The Lakes players have impressed the coaching staff with their willingness to work on the weak parts of their games.
•
Libertyville was young last year, and the same is true this season. Eileen Lee is the only senior in the Wildcats' top ten. The Wildcats are an up-and-coming team to watch, especially as the season progresses. Sophomore Sarah Paulson improved her game and will play No. 1 singles. Fellow sophomore Nicole Klein is a top singles player as well.
•
Mundelein has the talent to put to put together the best season in school history. The Mustangs are loaded at singles, with senior Hanne MacDonald and freshman Ari Dechter. Junior Paige Parola and new partner sophomore Ali MacDonald will be a force at No. 1 doubles. Jenny Ranck also has impressed early.
•
For Stevenson, freshmen Gabbi Demchenko and Trishala Chari will make major impacts. The sister tandem of Jennifer Sims and Caroline Sims will be tough at No. 1 doubles.
•
Vernon Hills will be very competitive in the Prairie; Lindsey Gallagher and Elina Shapiro will be a tough duo at No. 1 doubles. - Warren has a chance to place in the top three in the Lake Division. Michelle Dutt, a junior, is in her third year at No. 1 singles. Also returning are state-qualifying doubles players Alex Schmidt, Courtney Schmidt and Jenny Horne.