Red Raiders alumni play tennis at MCC
HUNTLEY — A trio of Huntley alumni – Elaina Hibbeler and Ashley Phommasack for the women’s squad and Jon Stec for the men’s team are keeping their tennis careers going well.
The former Red Raiders bring the total of recent alumni currently at McHenry County College to 10. The Scots’ ladies are in the midst of their Skyway Conference season (2-1 record, 4-1 overall and ranked third in the region) while the men are preparing for next spring’s season. Hibbeler and Stec were both selected as team captain.
“I wanted to save money and I wasn’t ready to go away to a four-year school,” Hibbeler said at a recent practice. “I play at first singles and first doubles. I’ve learned a lot at doubles.”
Hibbeler was on last year’s Scots team which won the Region IV crown and advanced to nationals. She competed in singles and doubles at NJCAA’s finishing meet at Tyler, Texas.
“I faced some real tough competition and learned a lot,” Hibbeler said.
Hibbeler was a three-time state qualifier for HHS. Her success has continued for the Scots, as she was 4-1 in No. 1 singles matches, and was unbeaten with Izzy Rodriquez at No. 1 doubles, with a 5-0 record. Players compete in both singles and doubles in JUCO.
“I don’t know the exact number, but I think Hibbeler has more varsity wins than any player in program history. She played No. 2 singles her freshmen through senior year and switched to No. 1 doubles her senior year,” HHS tennis coach Barry Wells said.
Phommasack played fourth doubles her senior year in last season and won the Fox Valley Conference tournament title. She had a 4-1 mark at No. 4 singles for MCC, and was 4-1 with Michelle Ratinskiy at No. 2 doubles.
Stec was a three-year varsity starter, and a sectional doubles champion his senior year.
“Hibbeler and Stec are great captains, show great leadership and are wonderful kids,” MCC coach Jim Stockwell said. “They help coach the less experienced players. Hibbeler is very good at the net and is very coachable. Both ladies are tremendous and I am so grateful to have them on the squad. Wells and I have a very cordial relationship and he sends me a steady stream of Huntley players, both men and women. I admire his program. He has been very complimentary of MCC and our tennis team.”
Wells is glad to send Red Raiders to play at the next level.
“It’s great that they have the opportunity to keep playing tennis and be part of a team in college. There is also a financial incentive which helps them pay for part of their college,” Wells said.
Stockwell, of Johnsburg, has guided the MCC tennis teams for seven years and three have advanced to nationals. He is also a professor at the college.
“We hope to win regional – I think we have a good chance,” Stockwell said.
Recent matches has region leader Moraine Valley edging MCC 6-3 but MCC topped Sauk Valley 6-3.
Other Red Raiders as Scots:
For women (with HHS tennis slot, graduation year) Merritt Whiteside, second doubles, 2017; Gabi Barnes, second doubles, 2018; Kate Joyce, junior varsity second doubles, 2016.
For men’s team: Jack Adams, HHS varsity, second doubles, 2019; Jason Boelens, JV, first doubles, 2021; Andrew Burkey, first doubles, 2020; Jack Coleman, first doubles, 2022.
