Boys tennis: Kernagis leads Glenbard West past Wheaton North
Glenbard West junior Alex Kernagis and Wheaton North junior Kevin Li are talented boys tennis players and returning state qualifiers, but most of all they're good friends.
When they met at No. 1 singles in Wednesday's nonconference dual in Glen Ellyn, everyone agreed the result would be close.
Kernagis prevailed in a third-set tiebreaker 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (4) - the last match completed in the Hilltoppers' 6-1 victory.
"I was a bit unsteady at the beginning, but I think I got the job done in the end. I kind of toughed it out," Kernagis said. "It was a shaky match, but he's a great player. We're close friends. And I'm probably going to play him again at sectionals."
The Hilltoppers and Falcons showcased their probable higher-seeded entries at the Class 2A Lake Park sectional.
The teams also were together at the 2017 St. Charles East sectional. Li won singles en route to his second state trip and Glenbard West junior Griffin Foster and Kernagis won doubles and junior Christo Maltby was fourth in singles for their first berths. Li and Foster-Kernagis finished top 24 and Maltby top 32.
Now Kernagis plays singles with Maltby and Foster becoming a doubles pair. Kernagis (8-2) only has lost to Hinsdale Central's Zach Elliott in three sets and Lyons Township's Dominick Cuchran on Tuesday.
"It's awesome. (Singles) sometimes is frustrating because I'm the only one that's accountable for me, but that's what makes it awesome, too. It's really satisfying."
The Kernagis-Li match was state-caliber.
Li (10-2) took a 3-1 lead in the third set before Kernagis won the next three games. After the two then held serve until the tiebreaker, Kernagis won two straight points he served for match point at 6-3.
"I think I played well. Alex and I are good friends so we practice a lot outside of the season so we know our games pretty well," Li said. "Of course, it's always disappointing to lose but I knew it would be close so it's all right. Whenever you play your friends, it's always a little awkward because they're your friends but you want to beat them."
At No. 1 doubles Foster and Maltby defeated juniors David Houlihan and Jack Tegart 6-2, 6-1, and Glenbard West's No. 2 doubles team of juniors Joey Kent and Cole Jenkins topped seniors Liam Jeanette and Ethan Laird 6-0, 6-4.
Glenbard West freshman Andrew Immink won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2 singles over senior Peyton Block. Wheaton North juniors Anthony Indelli and Dom Vuolo won 6-0, 6-0 over seniors Merrik Campagna and Zach Wang at No. 3 doubles.
In three-set comebacks Glenbard West junior Tommy Vondruska beat junior Josh Dean 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at No. 3 singles and sophomores Owen Schiff and Jack Boudoin topped senior Chris Haase and junior Mark O'Connell 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 at No. 4 doubles.
Foster and Maltby are pleased to be paired. They've only lost to all-state Hinsdale Central and Lyons Twp. in a third-set tiebreaker.
"I like it. We're starting to build chemistry and keep getting better as we get closer and closer to state," Foster said. "I think our games fit each other pretty well."
"I've always wanted to play with Griffin," Maltby added. "It's been a perfect transition. I've known him for years and years. I think we can go as far as we want to, playing together better every match."
Glenbard West coach Tad Keely said although it was difficult to break up a proven state doubles team, overall depth has improved juts with the addition of Immink, who only has lost to Hinsdale Central freshman Danny Schmelka in three sets.
"I think sectional-wise that gives us our best chance to win a sectional and also to get three (entries) to state," Keely said. "The more bodies you get, the better chance you have to place at the top. I would like to be (at least top 10)."
Houlihan and Tegart also would love to reach state. Two sectional victories from qualifying last year, it's been another challenging season at No. 1 doubles (3-6) after the pair debuted on frosh-soph in 2016.
"Both of our serves have really improved and our chemistry's gotten better," Houlihan said. "We've just got to be more aggressive. That's what we've learned."
"You definitely are able to appreciate (opponents) coming to the net a lot more. It's pretty hard to beat them," Tegart said. "We just want to win some matches and play the best we can."