Boys tennis: St. Charles East’s Tiernan Price wins sectional title, heading to state for third time

ST. CHARLES – Tiernan Price’s tennis game was clicking on all cylinders.

The St. Charles East senior was efficient in disposing of St. Charles North’s Jonathan Spicer 7-6, 6-0 in the championship match of the Class 2A St. Charles North Sectional on May 18.

Price, 20-7 on the season, will be making his third straight trip to the state finals. The state finals begin Thursday at Palatine High School and surrounding area courts.

“It’s the best tennis I have played all season,” Price said. “I was able to hit to his backhand. It will help that I have played at the state finals before.”

St. Charles East coach Rob Livermore was impressed with his senior’s play.

“He was on the attack and aggressive from the get-go,” Livermore said. “He was full-throttle the whole match with no letdown.”

St. Charles North coach Sean Masoncup gave credit to Price.

“Give credit where credit is due,” Masoncup said. “He came out ready to play.”

St. Charles East’s Alex Sternowski defeated St. Charles North’s Ben Goddard 7-5, 6-4 in the third-place match.

Batavia seniors TJ Stras and Erik Warner have won two sectionals in a row and will be making their third straight trip to the state finals.

The talented senior duo cruised past St. Charles North’s Noah Bajuk and Cole Weddle 6-3, 6-0.

The match was delayed 25 minutes because Warner rolled his ankle.

“I felt fine after play was resumed,” Warner said. “It was so hot actually the delay might have helped us.”

Stras and Warner, 28-7 on the season, are winless in their two trips to the state meet.

“We have had some tough draws,” Stras said. “We hope to get a couple of wins.”

Batavia coach Brad Nelson hopes the two end their careers on a high note.

“They have had some tough draws,” Nelson said. “I am hoping they get a good draw and get a couple of wins to end their careers. They are great friends, have good chemistry and they communicate well.”

St. Charles North won its second straight sectional title. The North Stars scored 27 points to place first. They were followed by Geneva (17), St. Charles East (16) and Batavia (12).

Masoncup’s sons Tyler and Aaron, who play at Geneva, advanced to the state finals in doubles with a third-place finish.

“It is something we can talk about 20 Christmases from now,” Sean Masoncup said. “It is a very cool experience.”

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