Girls tennis: Northwest suburbs competitors bow out of state tournament
Day two of the state girls tennis tournaments saw the remaining competitors from the Northwest suburbs eliminated from further competition.
Three out of four Fremd teams posted at least one win in the first two days, led by the sister tandem of sophomore Gracie Ha and senior Kellie Ha, who were ranked as a 9-16 seed.
"It was a real special year," said Fremd coach Scott Newmark, "Jane (Bodensteiner) getting her first win in the state tournament and the Has played super solid all the way through. (The Has) played a tough Hinsdale Central team (Friday) and a really good New Trier team. It's tough to go out and play your best three matches in a row. They played a heck of a round against the Highland Park team and really came through. It's a great season, we have a lot of things to talk about. I'm proud of all of them."
In the consolation bracket Friday, the Viking sisters and pieced together consecutive wins over Metea Valley's Taylor Goldman/Isabella Palm (6-1, 6-0) and Highland Park 5-8 ranked duo of Samara/Halle Michael (6-3, 6-4). The Has' race to fifth place came to an end after a roller coaster match, losing to New Trier's 5-8 ranked team of Ashtin Hara/Monnika Glueck (6-4, 6-4).
"Our first goal was just to play at state and just from there play our best and not give up," Kellie Ha said. "The last three matches we played were all great seeds that were close matches. I couldn't be more proud of my sister. She played so well under pressure in her first year of state. And I couldn't ask more from her or my team."
"State was a grind; every match," Gracie Ha said. "There were close games going from deuce-ad (vantage), deuce-ad (vantage). You just were under pressure the whole time. You just had to grind it out with each match. I'm just so proud I got to play with my sister. We did great together."
Fremd's Jane Bodensteiner, Sonal Matta and Valentina Cordero/April Wu were eliminated on Friday. Kellie Ha finishes her illustrious Fremd career with a top 12 and top 16 finish in 2018.
Elk Grove's lone representative shocked the tournament on Friday after sophomore Peyton Oda upset Metea Valley's Meera Baid in a super tiebreaker (6-2, 3-6, 10-6).
"Illinois tennis is very competitive," said Elk Grove coach Lindsey Rapinchuk. "Peyton competed with control, power and played a solid game of tennis. (Oda) has a lot of raw talent, but she really puts in the hard work and is a role model for our team. I feel very fortunate to have her on the team. The seeding wasn't discouraging for her because she played her best tennis. You can win any given game if you're playing at your highest potential. (Oda) far surpassed our expectations."
The sophomore Grenadier registered a second super tiebreaker win over Quincy's Otone Odajima 6-3, 5-7 (10-4). Oda bowed out in the next round after losing to York's Melissa Caris 6-1, 6-3. Oda posted a Top 16 showing in the 2019 tournament.
"I was more prepared," said Oda, comparing her 2018 and 2019 state tournament appearances. "I was physically tired after playing in two tiebreakers. This makes me very confident. I feel like I can play with players at the state tournament. I had no expectation. I now feel like I can accomplish more next year."
Barrington advanced its entire team and three of four recorded victories.
Fillies' freshman Madeline Hills was ranked in the 9-16 seed. and her first match on Friday was a tiebreaker in her advantage as she beat Deerfield's Allison Lee 6-1, 2-6 10-5. Hills notched one more win against Normal's Grace Walls 6-1, 6-0, and was defeated by St. Ignatius 9-16 seed Helena Cilella 6-4, 6-2 in her ensuing match.
"Especially since we only had one returning member (in Niyanthi Puliyala) and we were able to get the whole team to the state tournament, that's absolutely fantastic," said Barrington coach Heather Graham. "(Hills gaining a) top 24 finish coming out as a freshman, that's really good. There's a learning curve there for her in having that experience especially in those tight-knit matches. We're excited for what's coming ahead. I'm glad as whole team they are able to celebrate this and get some good matches in."
Barrington tandem Sam Kim/Sofia Hutchison bowed out with a 2-2 record in the state tourney, while teammates Niyanthi Puliyala/Amani Alvi and singles player Nayana Ramesh were eliminated Friday.
After going 1-1 on Friday, Conant's Simren Mahajan/Chetana Cheruvu went 2-1 on Friday with wins over a Downers Grove South and Lincoln-Way East. The Cougar duo ended their state-run by losing to Belleville West's Kaitlyn/Taylor Fiedler 6-4, 6-2.
St. Viator's Maia Nowicki finished in the top 24 in the 1A tourney, going 3-2, while Tess McLaughlin/Sarah Schultz earned two victories in the tournament.
Lake Forest leads the Class 2a pack with 32 points while in 1A, University of Chicago Lab School tops the field with 33 points.
The tournament concludes Saturday at Buffalo Grove High School.