Round-up: West Aurora ties for 3rd in DVC
Naperville North state returnee Amanda Bruski has served as coach Greta Williams' right-hand this season.
Williams acknowledged the indispensable role Bruski has performed this season at the Huskies' invitational last Saturday, and it was an unforgettable day for the Naperville North girls golf team on Tuesday.
Williams missed the tournament. But then again, she had a pretty good reason.
The Naperville North coach delivered her second child early Tuesday morning, and the Huskies gave their mentor quite a shower gift: the first DuPage Valley Conference title in program history.
"I was playing for (coach Williams)," said Bruski, who fired an 82 for third-place overall. "I knew it would make for a very special day for her. This was our goal from the beginning of the year."
The Huskies' 353 championship performance at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club in West Chicago was inconceivable without the coming-from-nowhere round by Marisa Miko.
The junior had the low front-nine round of the tournament -- a 2-over-par 38 -- and completed her second-place 80 with a 42 coming in to lead the Huskies' coronation.
West Aurora shot a 361 to tie Wheaton North for third. The Blackhawks have lofty goals for next year as the team boasts seven juniors in its senior-less program.
Ellen Christensen and Madison Whitt earned all-conference selection with their respective rounds of 88 and 89.
Karina Diaz had the low nine-hole round for the Blackhawks with an outward score of 43 to forge the fourth score for the team with a 94.
Tina Stengel bettered her classmate by 3 strokes in the fifth position to give West Aurora its third mark at 91.
"Putting was difficult, the greens were pretty fast," said Whitt. "There were missed opportunities as there always are in golf. That's the way it is."
"I think I played pretty well today," added Christensen. "I didn't have any blowup holes."
Elisa Palluau had a 91 for Naperville North, and Tracy Bates completed the Huskies' scoring with a 100.
"It's a good day for Greta," said Naperville Central coach Jane Thompson. "(North has) a good group of girls. It's very well-deserved for them."
Two-time defending champion Wheaton Warrenville South was second at 357, and Molly O'Connor balanced the Tigers' second-place overall conference showing by winning the individual crown for a second year in a row.
The junior fashioned steady composite nine-hole rounds of 39 and 40, respectively, to ease past Miko for individual honors with a 79.
"I feel like I left some strokes out there," said O'Connor. "I've been struggling with my swing. Today was about keeping the ball in play."
"She would have been disappointed if she didn't defend," WW South coach Art Tang said of his prized pupil.
Freshman Sarah Skurla earned all-conference for the Tigers with an 85.
Wheaton North and West Aurora were in a third-place tie after the Blackhawks erased the Falcons' 2-point lead entering the tournament with a 361.
Senior Allie Cerone led Wheaton North with an 87, while Jordan Heinlein and Rachel Bradley were right behind.
Naperville Central has a freshman to watch in Carolyn Wong, who paced the Redhawks with an 87.
West Chicago was led by Kim Klezcewski (92) and Natalie Pacelli (94).
Boys golf
Aurora Central Catholic 163, Aurora Christian 67: Jeff Hund took medalist honors for the Chargers with a 39. Tony Romero and Bryce Renninger of the Eagles as well as Rob Taptich and Alex Aviles of the Chargers all shot 41.
Girls volleyball
St. Charles North d. Streamwood 25-11, 24-26, 25-13:ŒThe North Stars raised their record to 13-6 overall and 6-0 in the UEC after taking the Sabres to three games.
"It's unfortunate we let Game 2 slip," North Stars coach Lindsay Trudell said. "The other two games, that's what we should be doing."
Gretchen Giesler had 7 kills and Caitlin Winkelman finished with 11 digs and 4 aces. Annie Stoermer added 15 assists and Carla Tietz chipped in 10 digs for St. Charles North.
Girls tennis
West Aurora 6, West Chicago 1: The Blackhawks (12-6, 4-1) knocked off the Wildcats in West Chicago. Shannon Brooks and Brooke Henry both shut their opponents out in singles matches.
St. Charles East 7, Lake Park 0: Amanda Gomez and Erin Bowman won first doubles 6-1, 6-2 and Stefanie Youngberg took first singles 6-1, 6-0. The Saints improved to 8-3 overall and 7-1 in the UEC.