Wheaton N.'s Delk adjusting well on her own

Tennis player Sarah Delk is a Falcon flying solo this year.

When she entered Wheaton North both her brother J.T. and sister Eva were star athletes who helped smooth the way for her.

J.T. is now a sophomore tennis player at Carthage College, while Eva is a freshman and a member of the tennis team at Indiana Wesleyan.

For the past two years Sarah, a junior, and older sister Eva formed a successful doubles team, qualifying for state twice, with a ninth-place finish last year.

But the lessons Eva taught her younger sister as both a role model and teammate are paying off.

Sarah has continued to excel at both singles and doubles, and she's assumed a leadership position on the Wheaton North team

"I miss Eva because we're so close," Sarah said. "But I learned a lot from playing with her. The way we played, I would lob and she would be aggressive at the net. Now I've taken over her spot. It's kind of weird."

"The Delk sisters really complemented each other," said Wheaton North coach Rick Rateike. "They were a devastating 1-2 punch. Each brought something different to the table. I was concerned with how Sarah would respond this year without her sister, but she's doing fine."

Although the sisters keep in close touch by phone and via the Internet, Sarah finds it strange not having her sister nearby.

"The house feels odd not having Eva around," Sarah said. "I miss her a lot, both at home and in school."

This year Sarah is logging double-duty, playing first singles in the DuPage Valley Conference and then moving to first doubles in nonconference play, where she's partnered with senior Corrie Walters.

Rateike plans to use Delk and Walters at doubles in the sectional.

"Last year Sarah was the supporting partner," Rateike said. "She had to be consistent and keep balls in play. Eva was counted on to finish the point and make the shots. This year we're asking Corrie to be consistent and keep balls in play and give Sarah the chance to finish points."

Delk reports that she and Walters have formed a strong partnership.

"I'm a lefty and Corrie is right-handed," Delk said. "We really work together well. Our system of play is straightforward. We don't have too many issues. We're both really positive."

No matter where Delk plays, she wins.

She's 8-1 in singles matches thus far, and she and Walters have an 8-2 record at doubles.

"Although I'm more aggressive at the net this year and hitting with more pace, At singles I'm still a push player," Delk said. "Playing against me is like playing against a wall. It's annoying to play against me. Everyone hates it."

Rateike believes that Delk has shown tremendous improvement each year.

"Sarah is one of the smartest players I've ever seen," Rateike said. "She will do whatever she needs to do to win a point, whether it's a long rally or making the play. You have to hit a winner to get the point from her, or she'll get it back."

Sarah had to adjust to taking over her sister's first-singles spot and to assuming a leadership role as one of the Falcons tri-captains.

"As captains, Dana Wasserman, Alex Catuara and I have to organize everything," Delk said. "It's our job to make sure everyone is listening to the coaches. We also collect money for different events, organize the pasta parties and we made shirts for the team."

Delk played junior varsity soccer her first two years but isn't sure if she'll go out for that sport in the spring.

"I love tennis. It's fun. It consumes my life in the fall," Delk said.

What are Delk's goals for this season?

"My main goals are to improve my game, mostly my mental game," she said. "And I want to have a good time. A lot of the girls on the team this year will graduate and it will be sad to see them go. I want to have a fun season and remember everything."

Rateike is hopeful that Delk and Walters will be seeded in sectionals and qualify for state.