Girls tennis: Glenbard East's Allen captures state title
A rambunctious crowd had gathered for the Class 2A girls tennis singles championship match on Saturday at Buffalo Grove High School.
Glenbard East's Kolie Allen returned to her high school team for her senior year following a junior season hiatus, and much of Allen's family - along with a boisterous group of Rams supporters - were glued to court No. 1.
Allen, the top seed, was to face Evanston's Anastasia Goncharova, the No. 2 seed and last year's singles runner-up.
In a back and forth match, Allen bested Goncharova 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 for the state title.
It's the first time a Glenbard East player has won the singles title, and plenty of people were enjoying the moment.
After her victory the Ohio State-bound senior met mobs of adoring fans crowded around her.
Included in the post-match celebration was a slew of photo opportunities and the chance to sign all manner of tennis memorabilia for her many fans.
"It was my last chance, and I decided after last year's state tournament that I wanted to come back," Allen said. "I wanted to win so badly. It means everything that my whole family is here.
"I'm super close with everyone (in my family). It helps out a lot when you have people cheering you on. Anastasia had a big crowd, too."
Allen's victory was no walk in the park. In the second set Goncharova had jumped to a 4-0 lead. Although Allen lost the second set, she turned up her intensity and won four of the next five games.
"I felt I had momentum going into the third set even though I lost the first four (games) in the second," Allen said. "I felt like everything that made me angry in the second set motivated me to win."
After faltering in game one of the third set, Allen responded in dominant fashion to close out the Evanston senior.
In Class 1A the Timothy Christian doubles team of junior Abygale Ahn and freshman Cassandra Lee just missed capturing a spot in the doubles title match. They dropped a heartbreaker to Glenwood's Anna Lytchakov/Medha Venigalla 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.
The Timothy Christian team moved on to meet Ottawa's Katie McGraw/Ellie Gallagher in the third-place match.
"We learned a lot after the match against (Glenwood)," Lee said. "We've had adrenaline from the last couple days. We came (to the state tournament) prepared, but we didn't know what to expect. I'm pretty proud of what we did."
Ahn and Lee dropped their first set 2-6 but regrouped to win the second set 6-4. The back-and-forth battle ended with the Timothy Christian pair earning a third-place finish after defeating Ottawa 6-4 in the third set.
"It was a good experience," Ahn said. "We've had difficulties finishing teams throughout the year, but I'm happy with our season. I expect us to work even harder next year and come back stronger."
In the Class 2A team race, a mere point was all that ended up keeping Hinsdale Central retaining full dynasty status.
The Red Devils led the field with 20 points after Friday's action concluded - but they did not add to that figure on Saturday, while Whitney Young and Stevenson surged ahead to share the championship with 21 points apiece.
The Red Devils finished third as a team, and sophomore Sarah Badawi and freshman Kathryn Trieber finished fourth in doubles. Coach Shawna Zsinko was pleased with her young team's effort.
"Considering the obstacles we've been through this year, we did really well," Zsinko said. "One point decided this all. What we've done with the competition of ministate last week (a reference to the Lyons sectional), we've done very well. It's kind of a letdown that 1 point decided it, but we're still on the podium when we only sent three positions to state."
In the last 20 years the Red Devils have earned 12 titles. This third-place finish snaps a three-year state title streak but the outlook is very bright for next year as Badawi/Treiber along with top-12 singles finisher Olivia Oosterbaan figure to return.
Hinsdale Central does, however, say farewell to the doubles team of Amanda Cashman/Alexis Hamdan; they went 3-2 as an unseeded entry.
"(Cashman/Hamdan) got called up to the major leagues just recently," Zsinko said. "They weren't even expected to win three matches. They're great team players, and had a great year."