Change coming to a court near you
A major shift in conference alignment has brought a great deal of change and some new challenges to high school sports teams in our area.
But even before schools like Geneva and Batavia made the switch to the Upstate Eight, graduations and talented newcomers promised to make this tennis season one of transition and uncertainty.
Geneva is going through something of a transformation, having said goodbye to four-year top singles player Kayla Fujimoto, who is now playing for Indiana University. Carly Ausman, a junior, will step up after performing very well at No. 2 singles last season. Senior Annie Tourte, who qualified for state at doubles last season, will play second singles.
"Those two are set, and I'm pretty confident that we will do well at the top of our lineup," Geneva coach Maureen Weiler said.
Weiler's confidence extends to her top doubles team of Claire Chlasta, a senior with state tournament experience, and sophomore Stephanie Sharpe.
"Claire is an excellent doubles player, and Stephanie is very aggressive, and we need that in doubles," Weiler said. "We just need to fine tune them together as a doubles team."
Things get a little murky after those top spots.
"We've still got a lot of things to figure out," Weiler said.
Sarah Kappele, a sophomore, has been impressive so far and could play third singles for the Vikings. Seniors Abby Baumer and Stephanie Michaels, who won the Western Conference championship at third doubles a year ago, figure to play key roles on the doubles side.
Geneva's success this season could hinge on Weiler's ability to find the right mix.
"This is a tough conference," Weiler said. "Neuqua Valley and St. Charles North are one and two. We're going to be in there with Batavia and St. Charles East fighting for one of the next three spots."
Batavia may have a head start on its rival. The Bulldogs, though young, have a few more pieces in place, though the lineup is far from set.
"We have a lot of good options, but we're going to have to settle on a consistent lineup for conference," Batavia coach Brad Nelson said.
Hannah Potter, a junior who finished second in conference at No. 2 doubles a year ago, will step up to the top singles spot, while senior Miranda Grizaffi moves from third singles to second.
The final singles slot will likely be filled by freshman Liza Fruendt.
"She has been very tough in challenge matches," Nelson said. "She comes from an athletic background, and she can compete with anyone on our team."
The doubles side is more in flux. Juniors Tamar Norville and Kaitlyn Mills are in the mix for spots on the top two teams, as is freshman Jenny Mizikar.
"Jenny could be the second best player on our team," Nelson said.
Karissa Schroeder (jr.) and Margerite Mallory (sr.) could team up at second doubles. Hannah Maddox (jr.) and freshman Brooke Lefevre are already 3-1 in their early matches at third doubles. Sam Potozek and Alyssa Pizzoferrato will round out the doubles side, giving the Bulldogs some senior experience.
"We have some great young talent, and I like our chances of having a very good season," Nelson said. "We also have some good depth, and that's important."
St. Charles East also boasts some depth, though the Saints will have one of the area's youngest squads.
But inexperience will not be a concern at the top, as Erin Bowman, a three-time state qualifier, anchors the singles lineup.
"Erin is a very solid player, and that's what she's been for us all three years," St. Charles East coach Sena Drawer said.
Bowman will likely play doubles in weekend tournaments and nonconference matches, and team up with Catey Esler (jr.) for sectionals.
"Making it to state is always a personal goal for Erin, and she's going to play both singles and doubles for us throughout the season," Drawer said.
After Bowman and Esler, who might also see some time at No. 1 singles, the rest of the Saints' lineup is equal parts potential and uncertainty.
"I have a lot of kids who could play well at third and fourth doubles," Drawer said. "Figuring out how to make it all work together will be the challenge."
Seniors Sam Baginski and Jessica Gatehouse are in the mix for the second and third slots. Either Morgan Nosalik (jr.) or Sarah Church (fr.) could play third singles, or wind up on the doubles side for conference matches.
Claire Hafner, a senior who played second doubles last year, has a chance to step into a spot at first doubles. Drawer, who has had success in the past pairing up freshmen players, will be counting on the duo of Kelsie Roberton and Haydyn Jones to be part of the Saints' doubles lineup.
"We have three freshmen on the team, and they're holding their own quite well and giving the other girls some competition for their positions," Drawer said.
Sophomores Claire McCarthy and Lauren McNally are competing for spots on the doubles side, as are junior Claudia Morency and senior Hannah Braulick.
"It will be interesting to see how we compete with Geneva and Batavia," Drawer said. "It's all going to come down to finding the right combinations. We have enough talent and depth this year to put together nice singles and doubles lineups."
Depth could be an issue at St. Charles North.
Liselot Koenen is back for her senior season and should be the dominant singles player in the area.
"Liselot is so helpful at practice," St. Charles North coach Eve Tubman said. "She is truly a team leader in every sense."
While Koenen is as close as you can get to a sure win at No. 1 singles, there isn't much certainty in the rest of the North Star lineup.
"We have a lot of capable players, but we're definitely in a transition year," Tubman said.
Kaity Wolfe, a talented freshman will be playing second singles.
"It will be a challenge for her as she develops into the role," Tubman said. "She certainly has the ability."
The third singles slot remains open as Kate Lesswing (jr.), who played there last year, could wind up team up with sophomore Faith Oehlerking on the doubles side.
"We've been swapping our doubles players around a little bit," Tubman said. "Sometimes they click together and sometimes they don't."
Abby Roggemann (sr.), Ashley Randazzo (So.), and Kelly Mehan (Jr.) will also provide Tubman with several good options.
"We're going to be talented at singles, but our doubles remain a work in progress," Tubman said.
Rosary's team is also a work in progress. Gone are Emily Reuland and Elizabeth Vertin, both of whom are playing college tennis. But talent at the top of the lineup could make this another nice season for the Royals.
They're led by their No. 1 doubles team of Angelina Goheen and Katie King. The senior duo has qualified for state each of the last two seasons, and won 28 matches a year ago.
"We're rebuilding around our first doubles team," Rosary coach John Tsang said. "They're playing smarter tennis right now, with better execution and net play than last season."
Sisters Micah and Andrea Goyao will form a doubles team, as will Kelcey Arnold and Paige Lewis.
"There will certainly be some adjustment to our lineup," Tsang said. "Our goal, as always, will be to get better each time out there."
Danielle Gray, a senior who played second doubles last year, will step up into the top singles spot. Freshman Mary Beth Lilowitz is slotted at No. 2.
"Mary Beth has the ability to get to the ball, she has good footwork and consistency," Tsang said.
The Royals have enjoyed a run of success over the past several years, but now it's time to start over.
"This is the first time in a while that most of the positions on our team have been open," Tsang said. "It's kind of exciting in a way."
West Aurora will be counting on talented freshman Emily Stefancic at first singles to give them a fighting chance in the DuPage Valley Conference.
"She's really tough," West Aurora coach Brian Brooks said. "I don't know if the teams in our conference will see her coming. She could sneak up on people."
Sophomore Haley Henry, who qualified for state last year, will play second singles, giving the Blackhawks a potent one-two punch at the top
Jin Lee (jr.) is penciled in at third singles, but could also see some time on the doubles side.
Senior Abby Zak will team with Anne Sweeney, a junior who was out all last season with an injury, at no. 1 doubles. A set of twin sisters, Kayla and Shannon Waisath, will play No. 2 doubles. Ariana Rieser and Nicole Maenza, both seniors who played singles last season, could see time at doubles this year.
"We're untested, but very hard working," Brooks said. "We don't have a lot of playing experience, but everyone is out there because they want to be."