Wolves, Vikings hold their ground at conference

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Niles West junior Alexa Bits returns a volley while partner sophomore Kristine Park plays the net . The Wolves' top doubles team placed third at the CSL South Meet. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times

Updated: November 16, 2011 12:44PM

Four head-to-head victories over Evanston helped the Niles West girls tennis team catch the Wildkits at the Oct. 5 CSL South Tournament in Evanston.

Niles West entered the event a point behind the Wildkits after Evanston had won the regular-season dual between the teams. But Niles West’s better finish at the tournament meant both teams shared fourth place.

“There was no chance to catch New Trier, Glenbrook South and Maine South,” Niles West head coach George Bravos said. “Evanston beat us 4-3 in a dual meet and we were little unhappy with that result. But we made up the difference at the conference meet. It was a beautiful day, the weather was just fantastic, and I think our girls played about as well as they could.”

Niles West’s best finish was registered by the No. 1 doubles team of junior Alexa Bits and sophomore Kristine Park, which came in third.

The duo defeated Maine South’s Meghan Salgio and Randi Wind (6-2, 5-7, 6-4), fell to Glenbrook South’s Caley Howland and C.C. Hoogland (6-3, 6-1), but came back to defeat Evanston’s Caroline Cary and Lydia Collins (6-3, 6-2) in the third-place match.

Bits and Park had come a long way since they were paired together at the beginning of the season.

“Neither had played doubles before, and they were struggling to learn the doubles game,” Bravos said. “It seemed like they were two singles players on a doubles court. Their communication was not great initially. But they’ve since adapted very well. They moved from No. 2 to No. 1 (earlier in the season). (The day before conference) might have been their best practice of the year. They played very well (at conference).”

Niles West’s fourth doubles team of junior Mary Mirza and sophomore Emma Lazar opened the tournament with a victory over Evanston en route to a fourth-place showing.

The Wolves’ No. 2 doubles team of seniors Lexi Leftakes and Vicky Georgevich and the No. 3 doubles team of senior Ricki Esses and sophomore Andra Sabou each finished fifth.

At first singles, Niles West freshman Analise Vujica took fourth, defeating Evanston’s Joan Gibbons (6-2, 6-0) along the way.

Fellow freshman Katie Chelboun, who came in fourth at second singles, also opened with a win over a Wildkit. Wolves junior Yu-Jean Park came in fifth at third singles.

At Niles North

The Vikings finished fourth at the Oct. 5 CSL North Tournament at Glenbrook North, maintaining the fourth-place finish they held during the regular season.

“Among our goals this season were to take fourth at conference, be competitive and play good matches,” North head coach John Amaro said. “We went into the conference tournament up two points (on Maine East) and we finished three ahead of them. So we distanced ourselves a bit.”

Niles North’s best finishers were at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, which each finished fourth.

At No. 1 doubles, seniors Jolene Strauss and Maddie Neuhaus opened with a win over Maine West, before losing to Glenbrook North and Deerfield.

At No. 3 doubles, junior April Hernandez and senior Anna Marzalado also began with a win over Maine West before losing to Deerfield and Glenbrook North.

Niles North’s top singles player, senior Erica Markovitz, finished fifth, as did the team’s second doubles pairing of seniors Sonali Patel and Karen Silverman, and the No. 4 doubles team of seniors Ashley Thomas and Hannyl Choi.

Up next

Both Niles West and Niles North will compete at the Maine East Sectional, Friday and Saturday at Maine East and Maine South.