Hinsdale Central's Lorenzini takes tennis title from Chen
It was inevitable that history would repeat itself.
Naperville Central senior Tiffany Chen and Hinsdale Central junior Isabella Lorenzini were both to meet at Buffalo Grove for a final winner-take-all in the girls tennis state singles championship match Saturday afternoon.
The powerhouse players were ranked 1-2 in the tournament — Chen as No. 1 and Lorenzini as No. 2.
Chen already has a title of her own that she grabbed in 2013 with a win over Lorenzini. Two years later the stage was set for a rematch at the most prestigious stage.
Lorenzini made her mark in IHSA history when she had her state final revenge against Chen, winning 6-4, 6-3.
“When Bella plays great, there's nothing you can do,” Chen said. “I was in survival mode. I played her a lot better this year. This time I wasn't going to let her take complete control.”
Lorenzini has been state runner-up for the past two seasons, losing the state title in last year's edition to Carmel alum Brienne Minor 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Earlier in the day, Chen defeated Latin School player Alessandro Bianco, while Lorenzini registered a win against Palatine sophomore Asuka Kawai 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals.
Chen didn't go down without swinging. When she trailed 5-4 in the first set, Chen forced deuce on six set match points before losing.
“Bella earned the points, Tiffany didn't lose them,” said Naperville Central coach Don Bonet. “I'm extremely proud of Tiffany's performance.”
Lorenzini and Chen are no strangers. Besides 2013, the two faced off in 2014's semifinals where Lorenzini notched her first win against Chen and recorded her second consecutive state final berth.
Lorenzini and Hinsdale Central registered a team title for the third time in five years with 50 team points. Stevenson followed suit with 30 points while New Trier took third with 27. Naperville Central tied for seventh with Edwardsville and Homewood-Flossmoor.
Chen's journey in high school tennis has come to a close, but her playing days in the sport are far from over. The four-time Naperville Central state qualifier will play for Princeton University next year.
In addition to Chen's departure, Bonet is exiting as well. The 15-year coach is retiring with a resume of five state champions (alum Elizabeth Lumpkin four times from 2000-2003) and Chen in 2013 as well as three sectional team championships in the last three seasons.
“It's been amazing she's gotten to the finals all four years,” Bonet said. “Elizabeth set the precedent and Tiffany was right there.”