Jacobs’ Kosy prevails in family affair

For Ashley Kosy, playing in a sectional singles championship match was hard enough.

Playing for a title against your cousin is even more nerve-racking.

But Kosy didn’t let the situation bother her. The Jacobs sophomore defeated Elgin’s Dahlia Keonavonga 6-4, 6-3 to win Saturday’s Huntley sectional and advance to the state meet next weekend. It is Kosy’s second trip to the state tournament.

“It’s very difficult to play against Dahlia,” said Kosy. “We practice against each other all the time and have a good relationship. I was moving my feet and played with a lot of consistency. It was hard to concentrate because of the wind.”

Kosy advanced to the finals with a 6-1, 6-2 semifinal win over Hampshire’s Hannah Hougland.

The top 4 singles finishers along with the top 4 doubles teams advance to the state tournament, which is hosted by Prospect on courts throughout the Northwest Suburbs beginning Thursday.

Huntley’s doubles team of Tamara Funke-Jantzen Rosales celebrated the home court advantage by taking top honors, defeating South Elgin’s Corinne Hildebrandt-Fiona McCullough in the championship match 6-4, 6-1. It is the second trip to state for Funke-Rosales.

Funke-Rosales advanced to the finals with a semifinal win over Elgin Academy’s Kayla Schwan-Jordan Yavari 6-4, 7-5.

“We had a good game plan,” said Funke. “We had good strategy and we were able to use the home court to our advantage. It is exciting to go to the state meet again.”

Rosales was confident going into the sectionals.

“We knew if we communicated and used our power lobs we could do well,” said Rosales. “We played well together.”

Hoagland bounced back after the semifinal loss to Kosy to defeat Meryl Hansana of Larkin 6-2, 6-1. The Whip-Pur sophomore advances to the state tournament for a second straight season.

“It is very cool to go to the state meet again,” said Hoagland. “I played smart and wanted to get third place after losing in the semifinals. “

Elgin Academy’s Kayla Schwan-Jordan Yavari defeated Monica Patthana-Julie Schreiner of Hampshire in the third place match 6-2, 6-4.

‘It’s exciting as a small school to go to the state meet,” said Schwan. “We made a few mistakes in the semifinal match but we corrected them in the third-place match.

Said Yavari: “It was hard to play in the wind and cold. It is great to advance to the state meet. We will do the best we can.”

Jacobs won the team title with 22 points followed by Hampshire (17), South Elgin (16), Huntley (14), Elgin Academy (11), Elgin (8) and Larkin (6). St Edward and Dundee-Crown didn’t score.

“It is nice to win the team title, but it is disappointing that Ashley is the only person going to the state meet,’ said Jacobs coach Jon Betts. “I am very happy for Ashley. I know it is tough for her to play her cousin.”