Senior Soleil Kaciuba enjoyed sending off her Riverside Brookfield High School senior girls tennis teammates with an Upstate Eight Conference title in their 2024 debut.

“It was my last year with a lot of my close friends who were seniors,” said Kaciuba, a fourth-year varsity player. “It was our last hurrah. Winning conference together was just a super-success for the whole team.”

With six all-conference returnees, the Bulldogs see no reason why they can’t repeat. At the 2024 UEC Meet, seniors Alekse Alijosius and Abigail Krueger and (No. 2 doubles), senior Abby Weinert and junior Brooke Zavorski (No. 3 doubles) and junior Paige Zavorski (No. 3 singles) also were flight champions. Kaciuba was second at No. 1 singles and senior Ava Sweeney was part of the fourth-place No. 4 doubles team.

“I think this season’s goal is to win conference again, especially because we know we can do it,” Alijosius said. “After winning last season, I think that excitement and confidence in our abilities definitely carries over. Also, since it’s our senior year, we’re very enthusiastic to make our final season a good one.” 

Adding to the depth are seniors Anabella Del Angel, Kennedy Holakovsky and Maggie Porter. The Bulldogs graduated four seniors from their 2024 UEC lineup who also were integral to winning the four-team Metro Suburban Conference title in 2023. 

“An important goal is to try to win conference again,” Krueger said. “I think the main key to success is for us to bond as a team. It’s important for us to lift each other up and be good teammates.” 

LTHS girls tennis

Now in her third varsity season playing No. 1 singles, Lyons Township junior Abby Sullivan continues to get stronger, especially mentally.

“I think a key for success is going to be remaining calm and patient in pressure moments. If I lose my cool, I could give up points that are crucial to winning the match,” said Sullivan, who trains at Score Tennis & Fitness in Countryside. “I especially worked over the summer remaining consistent and practicing my serve a lot for times of pressure. I also tried to hit a lot more.” 

Sullivan is among several returnees for the Lions, who finished third in the final West Suburban Conference Silver Division overall standings behind Hinsdale Central and Oak Park and River Forest after a 4-2 Silver dual record.

At the WSC Silver Meet, senior Rhia Nagle (No. 3 doubles) and sophomore Elise Novey (No. 2 doubles) were part of second-place finishers. Sullivan (No. 1 singles) and senior Erin Hanzlik (No. 4 doubles) were third and junior Sophia Dalgety (No. 2 singles) was fourth.  

Seniors Caroline Robb and freshman Chloe Owens also should contribute this season in singles.

At last year’s sectional, three returnees came one victory from top-four finishes to qualify for their first state meets — Sullivan and Dalgety in singles and Novey in doubles.

“It’s a veteran group with a lot of returning experience that is hungry to improve on last year,” LTHS coach Clint Buetikofer said. “Season goals are to be top three in conference and have players qualify for state.”