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The girls tennis season starts this coming week. Here are previews of teams from around the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.
Batavia
Coach: Brad Nelson
Top returners: Leah Puttin, sr; Bella Lins, sr; Dhruthi Daggubati, jr.
Key newcomers: Audrey O’Connell, jr; Addison Lamanna, jr; Madelyn Vieu, jr.
Worth noting: It’s hard to overstate just how successful the Bulldogs were last season. Batavia won its second straight conference championship, took second in sectionals and the program sent three to state-qualifying scores in Alex Klein (singles) and Leah Puttin and Bella Lins (doubles). Puttin and Lins both return, both closing in on 100 career wins. Dhruthi Daggubati also returns after going 22-0 last season in No. 3 singles and won conference. Hailey Durso and Kelly Thoman also return to anchor a loaded Bulldogs squad.
“We will have steady singles players and aggressive, experienced doubles teams,” Nelson said. “It is a great group of kids and I am looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish this season in a very competitive conference.”
Geneva
Coach: Zach Evans
Top returners: Katelyn Baer, jr; Aashika Jain, so.
Key newcomers: Anne Tomko, so.; Lexi Meier, so.
Worth noting: Geneva has a number of two or three-year varsity experienced players, including Baer and AaJain. The Vikings are expected to have some young contributors in the mix and maintain competitive play on the court.
“[We are] looking forward to a very competitive season,” Evans said.
Kaneland
Coach: Beth Miller
Top returners: Anelle Dominguez, jr.; Evie Taylor, sr.
Key newcomers: Faith Bartkowiak, sr; Lexi Maberry, jr.
Worth noting: Dominguez and Taylor – all-state selections – were doubles partners last season, but they opted to compete at singles. Maberry earned her stripes on the freshman team the past two years and will now move up to varsity. Bartkowiak is new to the team, but the Knights are looking forward to seeing her compete. Miller takes over for Tim Larsen, who retired after 20 years as head coach.
“We are excited to bring back two state qualifiers and six experienced seniors and are ecstatic to start the season,” Miller said.
Rosary
Coach: John Tsang
Top returners: Sophia Cousins, jr; Lauren Audrey Paschoud, jr.
Key newcomers: Isabelle Lagman, fr.; Laney Runde, so.; Emma Woodford, so.
Worth noting: Cousins and Paschoud played No. 3 doubles last season and are expected to have much bigger roles this year. Rosary is also looking forward to Legman, Runde and Woordford to play a lot of matches this season.
St. Charles East
Coach: Matt Bulman
Top returners: Caroline Donati, sr.; Audrey Jones, sr; Smita Dhar, jr;
Key newcomers: Kate Lauger, jr.
Worth noting: It’ll certainly look different to not see 2020 Kane County Chronicle Player of Year Emaira Saini not out there for No. 1 singles matches, but she isn’t the only notable graduation for the Saints. Doubles state qualifiers Hannah Champan and Megan Conroy also graduated, but Smita Dhar and Caroline Donati will help offset those graduations, as will Audrey Jones. Lauger was on varsity last season, but made huge strides in her game and will be a rising name to watch.
“We will have a lot of new faces in the lineup this year, but still have high expectations,” Bulman said.
St. Charles North
Coach: Sean Masoncup
Top returners: Madeline Chaggaris, so.
Key newcomers: Keira Gallon, jr.
Worth noting: The North Stars graduated their top doubles team in Tatum Settlmyer and Leia Papanicholas after winning the DuKane doubles title. Sophomore Madeline Chaggaris earned some playing time at No. 1 singles in the fall and is likely expected to have a larger role moving forward.
St. Francis
Coach: Tom Castronovo
Top returners: Maddie Hoden, jr; Elen Ryson, jr; Julia Turek, sr.
Key newcomer: Lily Toppen, fr.
Worth noting: The Spartans are coming off a highly successful season. St. Francis took second in the Metro Suburban Conference, was fourth at sectionals and had Ryson and Hoden as first team all-state selections. St. Francis is welcoming back Turek, who missed most of last season due to injury, as well as Taylor Austin. Nora Shannon will build on her solid season at singles, while the Spartans are looking forward to seeing Caroline King in doubles and Nina Ossey in singles.