Hamilton has Hinsdale Central on brink of repeat

Nida Hamilton is going it alone this year but it hardly makes a difference.

The Hinsdale Central junior, who, with partner Courtney Dolehide, has won the IHSA state doubles championship two years in a row, is playing singles this time around, and she's on the brink of leading the Red Devils to their third straight state team title.

On Friday the second-seeded Hamilton defeated Melissa Kopinski of Stagg 6-3, 6-3 to move into today's semifinals, with a chance for her third straight state championship.

"Nida has a game with a lot of speed and a lot of touch," said Hinsdale Central coach Jerilyn Scardina. "She's so calm and unflappable out there and she's equally good at singles and doubles. She's focused and she's a smart player. She's always thinking and she always knows just what she needs to do."

Hamilton's strategy against Kopinski was to just be solid, not too aggressive.

"I just wanted her to play my game," Hamilton said. "Melissa was being real aggressive and she was doing a good job mixing up her shots. She played very well."

While there's no difference in her level of her play between doubles and singles, Hamilton can see the difference in the experience.

"There's no one else on the court pumping me up," Hamilton said. "I have to do that for myself. You have to have better endurance in long matches in singles because you're playing the whole court. And I have to think more."

Hamilton's former partner Dolehide also made it to the quarterfinals at singles but fell to returning state champion Elizabeth Epstein of Parker 6-0, 6-3.

The Red Devils' doubles team of Kate Klein and Alex Tapak also advanced to Friday's round-of-eight and lost 6-1, 7-6 (5) to Jackie and Julia Schwartz of Prairie Ridge.

The other Hinsdale Central doubles team of Taylor Burch and Jenny Porter, who lost in the round of 16, will also continue to compete in the back-draw on Saturday.

Downers Grove South's Jenny Hois was defeated 6-2, 7-6 (4) by Jasmine Minor of Carmel.

The Red Devils go into today's third and final day of state with 36 points. Lake Forest is second with 27 and Deerfield has 26.

Neuqua Valley, the winner of the Upstate Eight Conference tournament and Neuqua Valley sectional, stands in 12th place with 16 points. York is tied for 14th with 13 points, and Hinsdale South and Wheaton Warrenville South are tied for 18th place with 11 points.

Kelly Barry of York, who lost to Hamilton earlier in the day, will play in today's consolation bracket.