Top stars return to Deerfield lineup

Plenty of intriguing storylines will emerge during the 2008 season.

Topping the list: the return of Deerfield High School stars Rachael White and Misia Krasowski. White (an IHSA state champ in 2006) and Krasowski (7th in singles in '06) opted to play on the USTA circuit in '07. With both players back in the fold, the Warriors will be a major player at the state level.

Carmel Catholic sophomore Jasmine Minor is making her high school debut (she also played USTA last fall).

Plenty of eyes will also follow Lake Forest, which will boast the 1-2 punch of Nicole Lipp and Kathleen Saltarelli.

Here's a look at the top players in the Pioneer Press Lake Shore area.

Lauren Aguilar (Carmel Catholic, Sr.): Coming off a 22-win season, veteran hopes to qualify for state.

Karlie Alms/Paige Parola (Mundelein): Doubles duo qualified for state in 2007. Alms, a senior, has developed a better net game, while Parola (a sophomore) has a much improved serve.

Marcela Ampon (Highland Park, So.): Closed out superb freshman year by finishing top 16 in state in singles; her aggressive style is suited to both singles and doubles.

Stephanie Borgman (Vernon Hills, Sr.): Singles veteran returns for her third year at No. 1 singles. A key leader as the Cougars vie for NSC Prairie honors.

Ingrid Brauer (Lake Zurich, Sr.): Took fourth in singles at last fall's Stevenson Sectional to net first state berth.

Jeanna Dudley/Elisa Lopez (Lakes, Srs.): Doubles team will be seeking second consecutive trip to state.

Michelle Dutt (Warren, So.): Year-round player hopes to grab a state berth in second season at No. 1 singles.

Julia Fellerhoff (Deerfield, Jr.): Captured a fifth-place doubles medal last season. This star can excel in both singles and doubles.

Misia Krasowski (Deerfield, Sr.): After a strong summer, Krasowski hopes to grab a state medal in October.

Nicole Lipp (Lake Forest, Sr.): Versatile player can be a threat at state in either singles or doubles; finished top 12 at state in singles last fall after taking second in doubles in '06 and sixth in doubles in '05.

Hanne MacDonald (Mundelein, Jr.): Showed her mental toughness last May during the sectional meet; hopes to qualify to state for a second straight year.

Angela Marescalco/Bailan Reynolds (Antioch): This No. 1 doubles team will be a key piece as the Sequoits try to defend their NSC Prairie crown.

Jasmine Minor (Carmel, So.): Nationally ranked USTA player joins the Corsairs after sticking to club tournaments last fall.

Kelly Poggensee-Wei (Grayslake North, Fr.): Known for her hard work and mental toughness, she'll step into a No. 1 singles role.

Kathleen Saltarelli (Lake Forest, Sr.): A strong summer of tennis has this Scout thinking big. If she plays doubles with Nicole Lipp, the pair could earn a state medal.

Jen Shea (Lakes, So.): This No. 1 singles standout has developed into an all-court player.

Annie Sullivan (Woodlands Academy, Jr.): Seasoned club player hopes to jump into the state's top six in singles after finishing among the top 8 in 2007.

Rachael White (Deerfield, Sr.): The '06 state champ will be a force, but there's no guarantee she'll play singles in the state series.

Elana Woldenberg (Highland Park, So.): Athletic Giant is valuable as both singles and doubles player.

Katie Zordani (Lake Forest, So.): Finished up strong freshman year by winning 2 matches at state.

Antioch: Shelby McMahon, Blythe Roberson, Jamie Urbanik/Katherine McNeil

Carmel: Kristina Eilers, Meredith George, Sophia Kannenberg, Michelle Kunkler

Deerfield: Lizzie Brooks, Meghan Frankel, Lauren Wallace, Carley Schwartz, Ellie Crist, Lexie Levitz

Grayslake Central: Megan Pazdernick, Adrianna Werneke, Ruchee Patel/Ragan Wilson

Grayslake North: Heidi Jonson, Nicole Karczewski

Highland Park: Lindsay Barnett, Diana Levy, Emily Tresley

Lake Forest: Lucy Clark/Claire DiMario, Megan Morris, Haley Killiam

Lakes: Nicki Tiffany, Alyssa Wittman/Taylor Pooley

Lake Zurich: Margaret Boden

Libertyville: Sarah Paulson, Nicole Klein, Eileen Lee/Emily Paul

Mundelein: Ali MacDonald

Stevenson: Lindsey Hahn, Sima Kovalevskaya

Vernon Hills: Liza Xu/Colleen Rhoades, Juliana McLain, Tia Ginakakis

Warren: Jenny Horner, Alex Schmidt/Courtney Schmidt

Wauconda: Shelby Peters

Woodlands Academy: Olivia Napier, Katie Saucier