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| SportsWednesday, October 17, 2007 1:50 AM CDT |
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Ironmen on pace with girls long-standing tennis tradition
NORMAL — Before a girl joins the Normal Community High School tennis program, there is one thing she should know above everything else. “Mediocrity is just not an option,” said Coach Jim Boswell, whose team has won five consecutive sectionals and four straight Big 12 Conference tournaments. The Ironmen hope to continue their winning ways in the 35th annual state tournament at Mount Prospect Thursday through Saturday. NCHS swept the top two places in sectional doubles as senior Kendyl Fisher and junior Kristen Laird topped senior Emily Gannon and sophomore Jessica Steach in the final, 6-1, 6-3. What they and fellow state qualifier, senior Ava Maxwell, have heard year after year from Boswell is the importance of continuing the program’s winning tradition. If the intensity during practice starts to wane, Boswell reminds the seniors that their predecessors left a legacy and then he serves them a question. “What are you guys going to do to keep this up?” he asks. The answer again this year was: just win, baby. “There is some pressure, but it makes me more competitive and makes we want to keep going with it,” said Gannon, a former jayvee player eyeing her first state trip. She and Steach were seeded sixth in the sectional, but placed second to improve to 14-7 on the season. “I wasn’t really expecting it and when it happened it was so shocking,” said Gannon of the state berth. “I was so happy.” Steach was just happy to be in the varsity lineup. She began the year at No. 12 on the depth chart. “Without a doubt she has vaulted up the fastest of anybody I know,” Boswell said. “It became apparent early in the season that we had to get this girl in the lineup.” She teamed well with Gannon, whom Boswell calls the most competitive on the squad. “She just doesn’t like to lose,” he said. “Her strokes may not be technical, but she’ll do anything she can to win.” Fisher and Laird did a lot of winning last year, finishing 26-7 after going 2-2 in the state tournament. They met stronger foes this year to go 23-12. “Kendyl has a lot more power on the ball (than last year),” Laird said. “She is so much more consistent than I am.” Their team chemistry usually is worth a few extra points. “It’s a lot of fun going out there and playing with your best friend,” said Fisher, a three-time state qualifier whose goal is to survive until Friday, a feat they came within a match of reaching last year. Their all-NCHS sectional final was a fun way to head to state Saturday. After flipping a coin, Boswell coached Fisher and Laird while assistant coach Greg Laird, Kristen’s father, coached Gannon and Steach. “We still played with intensity,” Kristen said. “At the beginning we were giggling, but it did get serious when they started coming back,” Fisher said. “I’m impressed by them a lot.” Also impressive is the way the diminutive Maxwell has become a two-time state qualifier. She went 0-2 at state last year to finish 15-8. She’s 20-10 this year. “She has beaten some good people,” said Boswell of a player opponents overlook at their own peril. “They think since I’m short I can’t get a lot of things,” Maxwell said. “They’re wrong.” That’s right. Don’t expect mediocrity from the Ironmen. 35th Annual Girls StateTennis Tournament Site: Mount Prospect and 10 other venues When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday Area first-round matches: Singles – Tara Clemens, Bloomington (21-11) vs. Emily Cimarolli, Althoff; Ava Maxwell, NCHS (20-10) vs. No. 3-4 seed Julie Flanzer, Highland Park; Sienna Reuter, U High (17-12) vs. No. 17-32 seed Bryna Nasenbeny, Waubonsie Valley. Doubles – Kendyl Fisher-Kristen Laird, NCHS (23-12) vs. Erica Bramlet-Emily Tinsley, Mount Carmel; Emily Gannon-Jessica Steach, NCHS (14-7) vs. No. 17-32 seed Taylor Hampshire-Allie Newmark, New Trier; Kathleen Johnson-Amanda Lawler, U High (17-12) vs. Edy Graham-Jaclyn Tracy, Sacred Heart-Griffin. BHS outlook: Junior Tara Clemens, the sectional runner-up, is making her third state trip, but her first in singles. “Every kid gets stronger every year. If the kid has skills, that (gaining strength) is good. Tara’s got skills,” said Coach Ed Rozboril. U High outlook: Sienna Reuter is among 15 freshmen in the 128-player singles draw. “Her ground strokes are amazing,” said Coach Samantha Petinga, whose doubles team will be a first-round underdog. “Kathleen is very aggressive and she loves playing the net. Amanda is very consistent. They really complement each other very well.” NCHS outlook: “Anything can happen in the back draw because girls tennis around the state is not all that strong this year,” said Coach Jim Boswell. “We know we’re going to make it into the back draw eventually. We don’t have anybody who is a top 32 (seed).” Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports. E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
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