West Aurora nets 15th straight sectional title

Saturday's final round of the West Aurora girls tennis sectional was full of familiar names, but a few of the combinations and some of the key results were significantly different from those of the past.

The Blackhawks won their 15th straight sectional title, but it was far from easy. They finished just a single point ahead of Waubonsie Valley.

"We got really fair draws and played well," West Aurora coach Brian Brooks said. "It was close the whole way, and we got some breaks."

The match that made the difference for West Aurora was the singles championship between Rosary's Emily Reuland and defending champ Bryna Nasenbeny of Waubonsie Valley.

Reuland, a sophomore, continued her rise toward top of the list of the area's best singles players by avenging last year's title-match loss, and advancing to the state tournament for the second year in a row.

"I'm playing a lot better and I'm more consistent than I was when I lost to (Nasenbeny) in the final last year," Reuland said. "I've being hitting the ball really well lately."

After winning a back-and-forth opening set, 6-3, Reuland got on a roll and wrapped up the second in a hurry, 6-1.

"I got into a groove and then was able to get more consistency in my shots," Reuland said.

That win was Reuland's 20th of the season, secured third place for Royals and knocked the Warriors out of contention for the top spot.

"We're getting better and better each year, and hopefully next season we'll be able to take the title," Rosary coach John Tsang said. "The girls did really well. Emily Reuland came in with a lot of confidence and did her thing here."

West Aurora's top doubles duo of Shannon Brooks and Lauren Henry gave their team a huge boost by winning the doubles championship over Waubonsie Valley's Nichole Gruneisen and Emily Kreiner, 6-1, 6-2.

"We played them before and had a lot of confidence going into this match," Brooks said.

The two seniors enjoyed this final a great deal more than some in past years which saw them face-off against one another in the singles championship.

"It was nice to finally win one," Henry said. "Shannon always keeps things interesting and I've really enjoyed playing with her."

Both players will be making their fourth trip to state, and the win gave Brooks her fourth sectional title.

"It never gets old," Brooks said. "This one was special because it was with Lauren."

Brook Henry won her third place match over Caroline Horn, IMSA's top finisher and lone state qualifier, 6-2, 6-3. Henry will be making her second trip to the state tournament.

Reuland will be joined at state by teammates Keyly Knechtel and Angelina Goheen who finished fourth after dropping the third place match to Yorkville's Maureen Wagner and Liz Pfaff, 6-3, 6-4.

"They were really able to take care of business in the first couple of rounds," Tsang said.

Overall, the Blackhawks finished with 23 points, followed by Waubonsie Valley with 22, Rosary had 20, and IMSA and Yorkville tied for fourth place with 12.