Girls tennis: Allen enjoying return to Glenbard East team
After a year away from high school girls tennis, Glenbard East senior Kolie Allen is enjoying the new experiences from her return.
"I missed it, for sure," Allen said. "It's not like (U.S. Tennis Association). You get to be part of a team. I've bonded with some girls that go to my school that I didn't used to, so that was really cool. And just playing for Glenbard East is always a fun time. (You are) walking through the hallways and the teachers going, 'Good luck.' "
An Ohio State recruit and the only all-stater in Rams' history, Allen improved to 27-0 Saturday night and captured her first sectional singles title at the Class 2A Lyons Township sectional, which was completed indoors at Score Tennis and Fitness in Countryside.
Allen earned a hard-fought 6-3, 6-3 championship victory over Hinsdale South junior Agata Mikos, who has only three losses this season.
"I think we have one of the hardest sectionals out of all of them for sure," Allen said. "It was very special for me to win (sectionals), especially senior year. I wanted to come back and do what I've always wanted, so winning sectionals is a step on the way."
After a 4-2 state singles record as a freshman, Allen finished an all-state fifth in 2015, the final year of the one-class state tournament format. Allen said she bypassed last season primarily to explore her college options and make as many visits as possible.
The rallies during the Allen-Mikos battle were the caliber of the final day of state.
"It's kind of nice to be able to have that at sectionals, to get ready to expect that type of play (at state)," Allen said. "Every match (at state) is going to be hard. Every match here is hard. Everyone wants it just as bad. It's just one step at a time."
"We still have work to do," Glenbard East coach Bill Burt said. "This is an incredible athlete and tennis player. We have six matches and we're going to play them one at a time and each one is going to present its own challenges."
Mikos was 2-2 at Class 2A singles in 2016. This year she is joined by her sisters - junior Marta, who was third in singles, and freshman Sylwia, who was second in doubles with junior Aimee Puz.
At last season's sectional, Marta Mikos and Puz came one victory from reaching state in singles and doubles, respectively.
"It's nice to see my sisters qualify this year," Agata Mikos said. "I played pretty well here so I'm excited for state. I would love to be top four."
Hinsdale Central, which has won four straight state titles, edged Hinsdale South 27-25 for the sectional team title.
Hinsdale Central sophomore Sarah Badawi and freshman Kasia Treiber (6-0) beat Sylwia Mikos and Puz 6-2, 6-3 in the doubles final and Hinsdale Central seniors Amanda Cashman and Alexis Hamdan were third.
Marta Mikos beat Hinsdale Central junior Olivia Oosterbaan for third by default because of Oosterbaan's asthma attack with Mikos leading 6-0, 2-2. Oosterbaan is the Red Devils' only qualifier also from last year's state lineup.
"I'm really excited and hyped up (for state)," Badawi said. "I've known (Treiber) since middle school. We have a lot of chemistry on the court."