Antioch's Sabatino a work in progress
Maggie Sabatino's maturity as a tennis player was on full display during last week's Warren Quad.
When Sabatino, an Antioch senior, went up against Warren freshman Michelle Dutt earlier in the year, she played right into Dutt's hands. She let Dutt continually counter-punch with consistent returns. Sabatino would grow frustrated, and she went for too much too soon in a two-set loss.
It was a different story for Sabatino the second time around. She displayed more patience in dispatching Dutt 6-2, 6-3.
"I was out of control the first time I played her," Sabatino said. "I didn't think about what I was doing and I was hitting the ball randomly. This time, I got into the point a little more with three or four ground strokes. Then, I would look for an opening."
Sabatino, who qualified for state as a junior, has put together a banner season. She took a 19-3 record into the North Suburban Conference tournament, which began Thursday.
Sabatino prepared for the season by practicing every day in the summer and playing in more USTA Tournaments than she had in the past.
"I became a lot more familiar with my game," she said. "I worked a lot on strategy."
The experience she gained has paid off in critical moments of matches.
"She's more composed on the big points," coach Randy Digman said.
Added senior teammate Jenna Salak: "She was on the courts all summer. She was always good, but she kept working to improve."
Sabatino's 6-foot frame helps her cover the court and makes her serve more intimidating.
"Her serve is her biggest weapon," Digman said. "When she's not double-faulting, she has the best serve in the state."
Sabatino also can come to the net and attack when an opponent tries to loft a shot past her.
"It's hard for people to lob it over me," she said.
After coming up 1 victory shy of the state tournament as a sophomore, Sabatino qualified as a junior.
Although she lost her first two matches and did not play her best tennis, the experience was one Sabatino will not forget.
"I was nervous, but it was so cool," she said. "If I go this year, I'll know how to expect."