Family history is important to Downers North standout

Shannon LaVallie was fourth in doubles last year, but the Trojans may need her to play singles.
(For the Sun-Times)

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Downers Grove North senior badminton player Shannon LaVallie is a legitimate state title contender, following in the footsteps of sisters Nicole and Meghan.

That would make the LaVallies the first sister trio in Illinois history to win state titles.

‘‘There’s always in the back of my mind [the chance] of being the only LaVallie that’s not a state champion, but there’s nothing I can really control besides how hard I work,’’ LaVallie said.

‘‘People say things like, ‘What are you going to do if you’re not a state champion?’ But my sisters and I are very close, and we talk about it, and they let me know not to let it get to me.’’

LaVallie was a softball player before switching to badminton when Nicole became successful. Nicole won the doubles championship in 2002, and Meghan did the same in 2005. Shannon was fourth in doubles last year with since-graduated Stephanie Gretsch, one spot higher than Meghan finished her junior year.

But the Trojans may need LaVallie to play singles, and she would have to get by two-time champion Karishma Kollipara of Hinsdale Central.

‘‘Whatever is going to be best for the team is probably going to be best for me also just because it is a team sport as much as you play individually,’’ LaVallie said. ‘‘If we could finish as one of the top teams in the state again, that would be great, and that’s really all I’m looking for.’’

That unselfish attitude runs in the family. Nicole gave up the chance to defend her doubles title in 2003 and finished third in singles to help the Trojans to the first of their three team championships.

‘‘They do everything we ask them to do,’’ said Downers North coach Anthony Calderone, whose team has won eight consecutive trophies. ‘‘[Shannon] probably would want to play doubles, and there are a lot of tough singles players, and she may not get a state championship. But she doesn’t care as long as something good happens for the team.’’

Nicole, who’s married to a Navy officer, has a serious demeanor and rarely smiled on the court. Meghan, majoring in fashion design at Wisconsin, is like a comedienne. Shannon, a National Honor Society member who plans to major in nursing at Iowa, is a combination of both.

‘‘All of the LaVallies have had tremendous competitive spirits,’’ Calderone said. ‘‘They’re going to do everything they can to beat you. Off the court, they’re the nicest people you’ll ever meet.’’