Girls Tennis: Five players to watch in the Kane County Chronicle coverage area

The girls tennis starts in the next week. Here are five players to watch around the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.

St. Charles East's Smita Dhar returns the ball during a practice with the school's tennis team on Aug. 12. (Sandy Bressner)

Smita Dhar/Caroline Donati, St. Charles East, doubles

Dhar and Donati qualified for state last fall, had there been a state meet, and will lead the Saints this season after the graduation of a solid duo of Hannah Chapman and Megan Conroy.

Batavia's Bella Lins returns the ball during a match (with doubles partner Leah Puttin, not pictured) against Lake Park at home on Sept. 17. (Sandy Bressner)

Leah Puttin/Bella Lins, Batavia, doubles

This top duo earned state-qualifying spots and are closing in 100 career wins.

Maddie Hoden of St. Francis plays with doubles partner Taylor Austin (not pictured) during a home match against Lisle on Aug. 27. (Sandy Bressner)

Maddie Hoden/Elen Ryson, St. Francis, doubles

Hoden and Ryson were first team all-state selections and will look to build upon a great team showing last season.

Julia Turek, St. Francis, singles

Turek missed most of last season due to injury, but can’t be overlooked as the Spartans’ usual No. 1 singles player when healthy.

St. Charles North's Maddie Chaggaris returns the ball during a match against Geneva's Rachel King during the DuKane Conference at Glenbard North on Oct. 7.The Berwyn Public Art Initiative's mural reading, In Berwyn, Black Lives Matter, was unveiled outside the Berwyn City Hall on Oct. 7. (Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com)

Maddie Chaggaris, St. Charles North, singles

Chaggaris spent ample time playing some highly-competitive singles matches for the North Stars last fall as a freshman. She has impressed coaches in the past and it’s expected to continue.