Ruther, Jacobs prep for state
Jacobs senior girls tennis player Jen Ruther was so looking forward to this year.
That's because she was moving into the No. 1 singles position for a Golden Eagles team that was no stranger to success in the postseason.
"There really is a certain amount of satisfaction getting to play people who project competition and challenge you," said Ruther. "The aim of tennis and sports in general is to improve from where you are. There is nothing gained if you don't improve. Being in that No. 1 spot gives me that opportunity."
Ruther is one of 5 Jacobs players who will compete in today's girls state tennis tournament at various sites around the Northwest Suburbs. Since 2003, Jacobs has won 6 straight sectional titles and has sent 11 singles players (1 short of the maximum) and 9 doubles teams (3 short of the maximum) to the state tournament.
Ruther, who brings a 23-9 mark into today's competition, is making her third straight state finals appearance and is fresh off winning her first sectional singles title.
"I'm not as intimidated anymore," said Ruther. "The first time I was at state I was like, 'Oh, I have to win.' It was so stressful. Now, it's a normal routine. I know I am going to go up against some really tough players. There's no real pressure except the pressure I put on myself."
Ruther, 1-4 in career state matches, is pleased with how she has progressed as the season has worn on. She said she struggled early due to getting back into a routine at school.
"I had a class (AP Calculus) that was really dragging me down," said Ruther. "I don't like getting lower than an 'A.' Maybe I have a little OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) with that? But when you get an 'F' on a test, it stresses you out a little bit. I think it's gotten a little better. After tennis is over, I'll focus even more on it. Getting back into a routine was a lot more settling."
Ruther, who is ranked 11th out of over 600 students in the Jacobs senior class, isn't planning on getting too far ahead of herself at the state tournament.
"One match at a time," said Ruther, who lists Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., as being at the top of her list of potential colleges to attend next year. "I can't worry about the draw or who is coming up. That isn't going to help anything. I'm going to try and improve and try and find a way to win each time. There is always a way to win - sometimes it's not easy to find, but it's there."
Jacobs sectional doubles champions Heather Graham and Aimee Neilan will bring a 10-3 mark into today's competition. Kellie Stoka and Melssa Blunk, their senior classmates and sectional runners-up, are 16-6 this season. Graham and Stoka teamed together at state last year and went 1-2.
In addition to the large Jacobs contingent, South Elgin will be well-represented at the state meet. The Storm qualified the doubles teams of seniors Lauren Ferry and Dana Hildebrandt (14-7) and Nessa Saeng and Brittany Boelter (19-8).
Ferry and Hildebrandt also qualified for the state doubles tournament as sophomores in 2006.
"The experience we have together has made it a lot easier to play," said Hildebrandt. "We know each other so well. We know where the other person is going without having to talk about it. We also have a lot of fun while playing."
Boelter is ready to tackle state with Saeng.
"We have to keep our heads in the game and play smart and keep the momentum going," said Boelter. "We have wanted this since freshman year."
Crystal Lake South qualified the doubles teams of Abbey Kolarczyk (sophomore) and Stephanie Brunetti (junior) and Liana Semchuk (senior) and Laura Roesslein (senior). Roesslein was a state qualifier in 2007.
The list of other local state singles qualifiers includes Cary-Grove freshman Beth Hughes, Elgin Academy junior Bianca Swegler, Dundee-Crown sophomore Alle Ballester and Huntley senior Heather Nieman.
Nieman, who will bring a 17-17 record into the state tournament, is the second Huntley singles player or doubles team to qualify for the state tournament. The Huntley senior doubles team of Tara Madziarek and Rosette Capito finished second at the Larkin sectional in 2004 and qualified.