Girls tennis season is underway. Here are team previews for teams in the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.
Aurora Central Catholic
Coach: Tammy Whited
Last season’s record: 8-4, 5-1 Girls Catholic Athletic Conference. White Division champions.
Top returning players: Nola Hollenbaugh, jr.; Kamryn Holubetz, jr.; Libby Hipp, jr.; Ria Murauskas, jr.
Top new players: Elizabeth Apolinar, jr.; Cece Maysonet, jr.; Celimar Hernandez, jr.; Rowan Hassler, so.
Worth noting: Hollenbaugh went 11-2 at the No. 2 singles spot last season and will take over the top spot, Whited said. Holubetz and Hipp went 15-9 at the top doubles spot and qualified for state. Marauskas took third in the conference last year the third doubles spot and moves up tp the No. 2 spot.
“First and second singles look strong and have a chance to win a lot, especially in conference,” Whited said. Nola has her eyes on state this year.”
Coach: Brad Nelson
Last year’s record: 11-7-1, 4-3 in DuKane Conference
Top returners: Claire Anderson, jr.; Sophia Garza, so.; Grace Warner, so.; Charlotte Burns, jr.; Alex Angelov, sr.; Maddie Peterson, jr.; Avery Haney, sr.; Elizabeth Melvin, sr.
Top newcomers: Alyssa Ettlie, so.; Lily White, fr.; Lauren Anderson, so.; Lauren Fiegel, jr.; Natalie Michaels, jr.
Worth noting: The Bulldogs finished fourth in the conference but took third place in sectionals and then 46th at state. The team doesn’t lack for depth either, with 70 girls across the program. Batavia’s top JV team won the conference last season, and some of those are champions are on the varsity this year, Nelson said. Anderson went 27-14 last season, placed second in sectionals, and is looking for her third state qualification. Garza (16-6 last season) and Ettlie will take the No. 2 and 3 singles spots.
In doubles, the Bulldogs will have four new pairings, but feature plenty of multi-sport athletes. Warner, who went 15-3 with Burns last season) played varsity as a freshman for tennis, basketball, and softball.
Coach: Zach Evans
Last year’s record: 3-12-1, 1-6 in DuKane Conference
Top returners: Anishka Jain, sr.; Lila Rechkemmer, sr.; Lettie Klein, sr.
Top newcomers: Charlie Kott, fr.
Worth noting: Klein qualified for state in doubles last season. The Vikings have only four seniors in the starting lineup but Evans said the group doesn’t lack for leadership, as the group is setting the tone and passing down knowledge to the underclassmen.
“We look to be very competitive this year in conference and sectionals, looking to qualify a few athletes this year to go to state,” Evans said.
Coach: Beth Miller
Last year’s record: 2-12, 0-5 in Interstate 8
Top returners: Ellie Wallert, sr.; Lydia Stover, sr.
Top newcomers: Anna Rybski, jr.; Hannah Rhodes, jr.; Makayla Shields, fr. Lyla Rex, fr.
Worth noting: The Knights won the East Aurora Invite and Wallert and and Stover nearly advanced to state in doubles, falling in the qualifying round. The second doubles team of Rybski and Rhodes are new to varsity, but display a formidable bond on the court. The Knights also have a bright future ahead in Shields and Rex, who proved themselves in the preseason and earned the top two singles spots.
“We have a strong, well-rounded team this year and are excited to get the season started,” Miller said.
Coach: Sean Masoncup
Last year’s record: 10-4, second in sectionals
Top returners: Danielle Dejanovich, sr.; Aria Bhate, jr.; Abby Weddle, jr.; Fiona Wendl, jr.; Sofia Tofilon, sr.; Riya Mani, jr.
Worth noting: Weddle was the North Stars’ only state qualifier in singles last year. The squad lost three seniors to graduation, including multi-time state qualifier Reese Thomas, but last year was valuable experience for the team’s eight then-sophomores. Dejanovich returns to high school tennis after earning two first-team all-state nominations, Masoncup said.
“It’s a huge boost to have a player of Danielle’s caliber come back, especially with the return of a ton of players with varsity experience under their belt,” Masoncup said. “We hope to compete for a conference and sectional title this year.”
Coach: Mark Sawko
Last year’s record: 10-7
Top returners: Elle Steffen, sr.; Maria Fassnacht, sr.; Carmen Risdon, sr.; Cali Simpson, sr.
Top newcomers: Avery Strine, jr.; Nivi Raj, so.; Karoline Szalek, soph.; Ava Greco, so.
Worth noting: Sawko, a St. Francis alum, takes over the varsity team after nine seasons coaching the JV boys and girls squads. Steffen returns as the Spartans’ No. 1 singles player and qualified for the state tournament after going 26-4. Sawko said she holds an offer from St. Mary’s at Notre Dame. Beyond the top spot, Sawko said the lineup is up for grabs.
“I think this team will surprise as it is one of the deepest we’ve ever had,” Sawko said.