Tennis squad advances doubles to state
HUNTLEY — A pair of Huntley girls tennis doubles teams will compete at the IHSA Class 2A Girls Tennis State Tournament.
Ari Patel and Julie Klockner were 3-1 at the Huntley Sectional while teammates Kate Burkey and Ella Doughty were 2-1. The IHSA state tournament is Oct. 24-26 hosted by Hersey High School and surrounding sites.
HHS tennis coach Barry Wells summed up the two advancing doubles’ team’s tournaments.
“Last year we only qualified one doubles team (to state) so we’re very happy to get both teams to state this year,” Wells said. “Burkey lost to the Lake Zurich team in the finals last year, with a different partner, so it was nice to see that she was able to get them back. Doughty was the best singles player in the area, so we decided to pair them up for the sectional and see how far they could make it at state together.”
Burkey and Doughty (5-1 as a doubles pair) beat doubles duos from Grant and Cary-Grove in the first two rounds in straight sets, then downed the Summer and Tessa Fabsik from Lake Zurich, 6-2, 6-2, to reach the finals. But Shriya Ramesh and Courntey Croll of Barrington bested the Red Raiders, 6-1, 6-1.
Wells was pleased how Klockner and Ari Patel, 26-5, advanced through the sectional.
“Ari Patel and Klockner used great teamwork and resilience to come from behind to beat Dundee-Crown in the qualifying match after a slow start. They really play their best when they are having fun and they put too much pressure on themselves at the beginning. Ari Patel also really stepped up and played some of her best tennis, especially her serve.”
Ari Patel and Klockner beat a Lake Zurich duo, before rallying against D-C’s McKenna Fernstrom and Sasha Bozovic. After a 6-1 first set loss, the Red Raiders prevailed, 6-3, 6-4 to qualify. They fell to Barrington next in the finals but had secured their state spot.
Singles results
In singles play, Gia Patel split two matches, with a win over Malainia Kurtel of Cary-Grove, 6-3, 6-2, but lost to Barrington’s Enya Neagu, 6-1, 6-0. Carlie Weishaar lost to Eva Becirovic of Cary-Grove, 6-4, 6-1.
Team results
Huntley finished third in team standings with 20 points, behind Barrington and Lake Zurich’s 25 points.
