Smith, Jacobs claim third straight D-C title
Annie Smith likes facing Dundee-Crown early in the season.
The sentiment from the Chargers is the same for Jacobs' No. 1 singles girls tennis player. Both sides felt that facing off in the championship match of the Charger Invitational Saturday was a positive experience.
Jacobs may have felt a little more positive as Smith (7-2) defeated Stephanie Zundl 6-2, 6-0, No. 2 singles Jen Ruther (9-1) beating Ale Ballester 6-1, 6-0 and the No. 2 doubles team of Kelley Lippner and Marlena Aleksiejczyk (2-0) scored a 4-6, 6-1, 10-4 comeback victory over Lindsay Drotus and Stephanie Domagalski.
The Golden Eagles, who also defeated St. Edward (4-0) and Fox Valley Conference opponent McHenry (4-0), took their third-straight D-C Invite championship.
"It shows our depth," Smith said of the team victory. "No matter who we put in at any spot, we should be able to compete with any team."
Dundee-Crown, which defeated Elgin (4-0) and Conant (3-1) to reach the championship, notched its lone victory with the No. 1 doubles team of Kim Miller and Pey Ballester. The duo, playing in their first season together, improved their record to 6-2 scoring victories over Elgin's Rachel Hegel and Dana Altieri (5-7, 6-1, 10-7) and Conant's Holly Anderson and Tori Graham (6-3, 6-1).
"I knew the last match was going to be tough," said Ballester, who competed at No. 2 doubles last season. "But we pulled it out."
Added Chargers' coach Janet Malecek: "They did a very good job. It's a confidence boost and the No. 1 doubles team needs that confidence boost."
Needed or not Smith also received a huge confidence boost. The senior defeated McHenry's Erin O'Brien (6-3, 6-1) and St. Edward No. 1 Tina Wahl (6-0, 6-0). Ruther and the No. 2 doubles teams also swept the day. Ruther did not give up a game in her first two matches, beating Warriors No. 2 Katie Kuchenmeister (6-0, 6-0) and the Green Wave's Michelle Nobbs (6-0, 6-0).
Lippner and Alekserejczyk beat McHenry's Emilee Leisten and Taylor Hanson (6-1, 6-1). Lippner and Melissa Blunk played No. 2 doubles against St. Edward and won against Alyssa Abbale and Celeste Vonhaus (6-2, 6-2).
"We got great play from the singles players," Golden Eagles' coach Jon Betts said. "They set the tone for us all day."
Zundl helped set the tone for the Chargers defeating Elgin's Rebekah Hegel (2-6, 6-2, 13-11) and Conant's Marisa Hatakeyanoa (6-1, 6-2).
Elgin rebounded from a 4-0 loss to the Chargers in the first round to defeat Palatine 3-1. Hegel defeated Ann Wedell 7-6, 7-5. Both doubles teams also scored victories with Hegel and Altieri beating Katerina and Tricia Walker 7-6, 4-6, 10-6 and Margaret and Clare Heron defeated Rachel Dailey and Kylie Kosvlic 6-3, 6-2.
"That was a hard loss," Elgin coach Larry DeHaan said of the Dundee-Crown match. "It was really neat to see that the girls were level-headed (against Palatine). We played good ball."
St. Edward went 0-3, losing to Jacobs 4-0, Schaumburg 3-1 and Palatine 3-1.