The Lyons Township High School girls tennis team graduated both 2021 IHSA 2A state-qualifying doubles teams.
Several returning players are working to continue the state tradition.
Six players are back from the West Suburban Conference Silver Meet lineup — juniors Sofija Grujic (No. 1 singles) and Scarlette Rahman (No. 2 singles), sophomore MiaMaria Graziano (No. 3 singles) and seniors Allyssa Wong and Anna Hudson (No. 3 doubles) and Molly Burke (No. 4 doubles). The Lions tied for fourth in last year’s overall WSC Silver standings with Oak Park and River Forest.
Junior Maddie Rowen and sophomore Ginny Gibbs are among lineup newcomers. Wong is recovering from ACL surgery following a soccer injury last winter.
“We are looking forward to seeing what our varsity newcomers can do,” LTHS coach Dave Robare said. “I am excited for there to be new opportunities for players to compete, and I am hopeful that we will see the improvements necessary over the course of the season to perform well in our conference and ultimately qualify for the state tournament.”
LTHS boys soccer
The Lions (4-0-2) won the Northside College Showcase for the first time with a 2-1 victory over New Trier in the final Sept. 3.
In the second half, Collin Sullivan scored with an assist from Haris Sarajlija, who then gave LTHS a 2-0 lead with Daniel Svelnis assisting. The Lions lost last year’s final to the Trevians 8-7 on penalty kicks following a 1-1 tie.
In earlier tournament play, the Lions defeated Buffalo Grove 4-1 on Sept. 1 as Brian Salvino scored twice. Other goals came from Sullivan and Sarajlija with assists from Patrick Kracker, Will Swicionis, Declan Kracker and Ashton Hutchins.
Patrick Kracker scored in the 1-0 victory over Waukegan 1-0 on Aug. 30 with Ben Swicionis assisting.
Cross country
LTHS junior Nick Strayer (15:32.44 for 5k) and Riverside-Brookfield High School junior Cooper Marrs (15:34.94) finished 1-2 in the varsity boys race at the Lions’ annual Mike Kuharic Invitational on Sept. 3.
The Lions (67 points) were a close second to Maine South (61). RBHS (100) and Nazareth Academy (391) were fourth and 14th.
LTHS junior Cillian Henning (4th, 16:03.95) and senior Aidan Collins (9th, 16:19.79) also were top 10. RBHS junior Jack O’Brien (16th, 16:43.05) and sophomore Brady Norman (18th, 16:47.44) and LTHS senior Michael Ferrell (19th, 16:49.12) were top 20.
LTHS (20) captured the varsity girls title by 41 points. Junior Shannon Cranny (19:44.02), senior Charlotte Lange (19:44.74) and juniors Julianne Melby (19:46.78) and Anna Bylsma (19:48.55) were second through fifth. Senior Scarlett Lestina (8th, 20:21.63) and juniors Lauren Bohringer (10th, 20:43.48) and Kelly Makovic (16th, 21:06.18) also were top 20.
RBHS senior Bryce Pacourek (6th, 20:08.93) and sophomore Gianna Gelb (19th, 21:12.72) led the fifth-place Bulldogs (147). Nazareth (219) was eighth with junior Jane McNamara 18th (21:08.87).
RBHS girls volleyball
The Bulldogs (3-8) won two of five matches at Grayslake Central’s Ram Slam Tournament, beating Carmel 27-26, 15-25, 15-8 and Grayslake North 23-25, 25-21, 16-14.
RBHS had 13 aces against Carmel with four by Annabel Krueger and three from Sophia Cozzone and Kira Conroy, who had 18 digs. Reagan Mulcrone had five kills and Addie Blomgren four blocks.
Mulcrone (9 kills), Conroy (9 digs), Krueger (13 assists) and Anasofia Zaper (5 kills) led the victory over Grayslake North.
RBHS lost to Hinsdale Central 25-13, 28-26 on Aug. 31. Elise Verdin (2 aces), Christina Savaglio and Sofia Owens (4 kills each), Conroy (9 digs), Krueger (15 assists) and Blomgren (3 kills, 2 blocks) led the Bulldogs.
Golf
The RBHS girls (4-2) defeated Westmont 151-186 on Aug. 31. Counting scores came from Mayan Covarrubias (34), Lucia Vazzana (36), Ellie Megall (38) and Taryn Schultz (43).
The RBHS boys edged Argo 190-192 on Aug. 31 but lost to Nazareth 175-187 on Sept. 1 and Immaculate Conception 151-177 on Aug. 30.
The LTHS boys (4-0) moved to 2-0 in the WSC Silver by edging Glenbard West 146-147 on Aug. 29 behind James Frehner (34), Kevin Larmon (35), Jack Berry (37) and Charlie Novak, Anderson Palm and Tommy Niemiec (40s).
The Lions also won the St. Viator Tournament (307) by three strokes over Hinsdale Central on Aug. 27. Berry and Palm shot 76.
The LTHS girls (4-2) are 4-1 in WSC play after beating Hinsdale South 157-194 on Aug. 31 and Downers Grove South 178-189 on Aug. 29.
