Dodge-Linden second to one

Kristy Dodge was in seventh grade and unaware of it, but her tennis future was already being planned.

After Kelsey Linden and Whitney Martin won the state doubles title two years ago for Barrington, coach Tracy Waters began devising a plan to get the Fillies another championship.

She decided the best strategy was to put Linden, who would be a senior, together with incoming freshman phenom Dodge.

On paper, they looked like the Odd Couple. Linden was finishing her high school career; Linden was starting it. Linden stands 5-foot-10; Dodge 5-4. Linden is straight-faced on the court; Dodge is always smiling; Linden is great at the net; Dodge is great at the baseline.

"We're complete opposites," Dodge said. "Except, we both want the same goal -- to win a state championship."

On Saturday, that goal and Waters' master plan fell just short of their mission. Dodge and Linden lost in the state finals to defending doubles champion Hinsdale Central's Courtney Dolehide and Nida Hamilton 6-1, 6-2 at Prospect.

It was a match the Fillies would like to have back.

From the start -- Linden double-faulting on her first three serves -- to the end -- Hinsdale Central smashing a shot between the two Fillies -- Barrington struggled.

It was some of its own doing, but also that of Hinsdale Central's skilled game.

"They were a better team today," Waters said. "You can't play with any weaknesses against them.

"We struggled all the way. Both of them struggled. You want to come out and play your best. We never got in. They never let us in."

Linden's serving problems continued throughout the match. She would later say it was the most trouble she's ever had with it. The Red Devils also never allowed Linden to put away many balls at the net or let Barrington gain any momentum.

"We thought we'd be able turn it around, turn it around," Linden said. "We just couldn't get it back.

"They're a really tough team. It's pretty difficult to get a point off them."

Despite their disappointment, Dodge and Linden were happy to be in the state championship. The only team they lost to all season was Hinsdale Central -- Saturday marked the second time this year.

They also won conference, sectionals and won every other state match in straight sets, including 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals on Saturday morning.

Their victories pushed Barrington to 21 total points for the tournament and put it into sixth place. It was the fourth consecutive season with a sixth-place finish or better for the Fillies.

That run began four years ago when Waters took over the coaching position and Linden was a freshman. Waters credited Linden to a bulk of Barrington's success.

"I'm going to miss her," Waters said. "I think she was what I had in mind for this program -- her teamwork, her discipline, her focus.

"I didn't look forward to today. It was going to be her last. She's every coach's dream. She's a classy young lady."

Linden said, "I hope I've left a mark on the Barrington program in my time here. It's been a great ride."

Fremd junior Jenna Langhorst lost in her first match of the day, the consolation quarterfinals, 6-2, 6-2 to Morgan Park's Gia McKnight.

On Friday, Langhorst had reached the championship bracket quarterfinals for the first time in three seasons.