Senior Abby Weinert and juniors Paige Zavorski and Brooke Zavorski moved up one flight this girls tennis season in the Upstate State Conference East Division. Senior Soleil Kaciuba returned at No. 1 singles with unfinished business. All four players rose to the occasion Friday and helped the Bulldogs defend their overall team championship at the UEC East Meet at Glenbard South. Kaciuba, Weinert and Paige Zavorski (No. 2 doubles) and Brooke Zavorski (No. 2 singles) were flight champions.
RBHS (52.5 points) won the overall title over second-place Ridgewood (49) based on combined points accumulated from victories in duals and the conference meet.
“I’m very happy with how our season turned out. The girls were constantly improving throughout conference and non-conference match play,” RBHS coach Sam Weiss said. “All in all I am very proud of our athletes and the hard work they put into this season both physically and mentally.”
Sophomore Amanda Krueger (No. 3 singles) and seniors Kenzie Joseph and Maggie Porter (No. 4 doubles) were second, seniors Alekse Alijosius and Abigail Krueger (No. 1 doubles) were third and sophomores Sophie Dickerson and Annika Bell (No. 3 doubles) were fourth
The Bulldogs had gone 6-0 in duals with a 37-5 match record and edged Ridgewood 15.5-15 at the UEC East Meet. Including their final season in the Metro Suburban Conference, the Bulldogs have now won three straight conference crowns.
Kaciuba and Paige Zavorski upheld their No. 1 seeds and won in straight sets. Weinert and Brooke Zavorski, the No. 2 seed, achieved their title repeat in three sets. Paige Zavorski and Weinert and Brooke Zavorski added to winning 2024 conference titles at No. 3 singles and No. 3 doubles, respectively. Kaciuba avenged losing last year’s No. 1 singles final to a different opponent in three sets after entering as the top seed. Dickerson and Bell lost Friday’s third-place match in three sets. Amanda Krueger won her first two matches in 10-point tiebreakers to determine the third set, including 13-11 in her semifinal.
At the 2023 MSC Meet, Kaciuba won at No. 1 doubles. Paige Zavorski was second at No. 1 singles.
“Our doubles teams improved their aggressiveness and found various strategies for their strengths. Singles players were able to persevere and stay mentally tough and focused during the tournament,” Weiss said.
The Bulldogs next compete at the Class 2A York Sectional. Top-four sectional finishers in singles and doubles advance to the state meet.
LTHS girls tennis
Lyons Township had three second-place finishers at the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet Thursday and Friday to take second as a team and place second in the final overall standings.
Erin Hanzlik and Sophia Dalgety (No. 2 doubles), Chloe Owens (No. 3 singles) and Abby Cox and Cora Haussemann (No. 3 doubles) each finished second. Elise Novey and Rhia Nagale (No. 1 doubles) and Caroline Robb and Kate Garcia (No. 4 doubles) were third and Abby Sullivan (No. 1 singles) and Anna Tumpiseed (No. 2 singles) were fourth.
LTHS (33 points) edged Oak Park and River Forest (32) for second behind Hinsdale Central (44) based on combined points collected from their 4-2 dual record and the Silver Meet.
The Lions play host to the 2A Lyons Township Sectional. Top-four sectional finishers in singles and doubles qualify for state.