Some sure bets, some up for grabs
By the end the day on Friday, tennis players all over Illinois will know if they'll be spending part of next week competing in the state tournament.
The area teams will again be spread out over three different sectionals this weekend. Those three sites have a few things in common, and should offer a number of area players the opportunity to qualify.
St. Charles East sectional
The host Saints will welcome Bartlett, DeKalb, Geneva, Glenbard North, Kaneland, St. Charles North, Sycamore, West Chicago and Wheaton Academy.
Based on past performance, there are clear favorites for the top three qualifying positions in both the singles and doubles fields. After that, there's an opportunity for a number of different players to make it through.
Geneva:ŒFresh off of an impressive series of wins at the Western Sun Conference tournament, the Vikings have a chance to finish their season on a high.
Sophomore Kayla Fujimoto comes in undefeated, and should not face too much of a challenge until the finals. Jamie Potts has shown as much steady improvement throughout the season as any player in the area.
"I know Kayla will make it, and I think Jamie has a good shot too," Geneva coach Maureen Weiler said.
The Vikings' doubles teams of Blair Selakovich and Mary Pelling and Liz Bertrand and Krista Panko should both be in the thick of it and have a terrific opportunity to advance to state.
"All year long these girls have worked hard, and listened, and learned a lot," Weiler said. "That's all I can ask of them."
St. Charles East:ŒThe Saints have sent at least one player to the state tournament each of the last 22 years. They should have no trouble extending that streak.
Stefanie Youngberg is less than 100 percent, but that shouldn't keep the junior from qualifying for state. Khris Villarin, the Saints' other singles player, has played some good tennis this season.
"Stefanie is struggling with the injury to her arm, but she's mentally tough," St. Charles East coach Sena Drawer said. "I know she'll go out there and give it everything she can every match."
Amanda Gomez and Erin Bowman are coming off a stunning Upstate Eight conference championship, while Megan Joyce and Anne Mason round out a St. Charles East lineup that Drawer believes could pull off a surprise or two.
"Those fourth spots to qualify for state could be up for grabs," Drawer said. "Amanda and Erin are so excited, and it's good to see them take that energy into the sectional."
St. Charles North:ŒThe North Stars have been one of the area's dominant teams all season long. They capped a run of solid play by winning the Upstate Eight Conference team competition last weekend, and will be looking to keep that momentum going.
Annemijn Koenen should have no trouble in taking the first step toward serving up a sequel to last year's eye-opening performance at state. Sarah Amelraj spent much of the season playing No. 3 singles for the North Stars, where she won some big matches.
Senior Megan Gow will make the transition from No. 2 singles to doubles, teaming up with freshman Liselot Koenen.
"They're both experienced tournament players," St. Charles North coach Tim Matacio said. "That can make a big difference this time of year."
Lauren Drawbridge and Andrea Gentile also have a good shot at making it through to state.
"This is the lineup that we believe gives us the best chance to get the most points at state," Matacio said.
West Aurora sectional
West Aurora will be joined by Aurora Central, East Aurora, IMSA, Oswego, Oswego East, Rosary, Waubonsie Valley and Yorkville
For more than a decade, the news coming out of this sectional has been mostly about West Aurora's dominance. This year could be a little different as there appears to be several teams primed to chip away at the Blackhawks' history of success.
Rosary:ŒEmily Reuland used last year's sectional to introduce herself in a big way to rest of the area's tennis community. The sophomore anchored her team's second place finish in the Suburban Catholic Conference, while winning the No. 1 singles title.
"Emily is coming into this playing really smart and confident," Rosary coach John Tsang said.
Senior Megan Tonner played doubles last season, but has made the switch to singles. Two others who made the opposite move, Keyly Knechtel and Angelina Goheen, are coming off an SCC No. 1 doubles championship. Seniors Jen Winkle and Amanda Roche will need to bounce back from a tough loss in that tournament.
"We've played some of the top teams in the state, and we've made adjustments when we needed to," Tsang said. "A lot of our players are peaking right now, and that's what you want."
West Aurora:ŒWest Aurora may be looking for a bit of redemption after narrowly losing the DuPage Valley Conference tournament last weekend. The Blackhawks have the sort of lineup that's capable of making up for past disappointments.
Brooke Henry, who easily won the No. 2 singles title in the DVC, will be joined by fellow sophomore Alison Krantz in the singles bracket.
Seniors Shannon Brooks and Lauren Henry head the West Aurora doubles lineup, and should have no trouble qualifying for state.
"They're both very experienced players, and as a doubles team they've played some very tough competition this year," West Aurora coach Brian Brooks said.
Jordan Bohr and Lizzy Griffen, both sophomores, gained valuable experience while playing No. 1 doubles this season for the Blackhawks.
"Rosary has a nice team, and Waubonsie Valley will be up there too," Brooks said. "It's not at all a given that we're going to win it this year. We're going to have to play very well."
Naperville North sectional
Batavia is the one local team in this field joining Benet, Lisle, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, St. Francis, Wheaton Warrenville South and Wheaton North.
Once again, the Bulldogs will have to travel to play some of DuPage County's best. While Neuqua Valley has been tough from top to bottom, most of the other schools boast a strong singles player and a top notch doubles team. After that, things get a bit murky, and the Bulldogs should have a good shot at extending their season.
Batavia:ŒThe Bulldogs are nursing a few bumps bruises, beginning with Kristen Sapyta's sore back. Sapyta, Batavia's regular season No. 3 singles player, will be joined in the singles lineup by Sarah Nikonchuck.
Alexa Schofield will be competing in her second sectional, and she will be paired with Kim Sawyer. Schofield and Sawyer posted a 10-2 record this season as a doubles duo.
"I feel very good about how Alexa and Kim have done against the teams in our sectional," Batavia coach Brad Nelson said.
Abby Link and Jessica Riemenschnider round out a Batavia lineup that's ready to face the sort of opponents who don't allow much margin for error.
"It's a tough sectional, no doubt about, but I really believe we have a chance to do well," Nelson said. "Whoever comes out of this sectional is definitely worthy of going to state."