Smith single-minded about conference meet

The three-header monster that reigned during the regular season will have to put its best face forward this weekend.

Senior Annie Smith of Jacobs, freshman Allison Murphy of Prairie Ridge and freshman Nelle Youel of Crystal Lake Central all entered the week of the 2007 FVC Tournament with just one conference loss in first singles play.

Here's the recap: Smith lost to Murphy, but knocked off Youel earlier in the season. Youel has defeated Murphy, but lost to Smith. Murphy has taken down Smith, but lost Youel.

Got that?

The short version is that they've all beaten on each other, while dominating everybody else. That should make for quite a weekend showdown for the conference title at No. 1 singles when the championships get underway at 2 p.m. Friday. The first two rounds are at various sites, including host McHenry, Prairie Ridge, Crystal Lake Central and Crystal Lake South, with the tourney wrapping up Saturday.

Three-time conference champ Prairie Ridge had an insurmountable lead of almost 20 points entering the final week of the regular season, but Central, South and Jacobs all were in position to battle for second at the FVC Meet.

South's success has been keyed by its incredible balance and third-year standout Jennifer Maruyama. The senior, 10-4 in singles and 3-0 in doubles, can anticipate at the net or use her power and accuracy in the back.

Maruyama likely will play singles this weekend, as will No. 2 Abbey Kolarczyk (14-6) and No. 3 Stephanie Brunetti (15-2).

The Gators' first doubles team of Laura Roesslein and Liana Semchuk has compiled an 11-6 mark. Second doubles Amy Ross and Kaitlin Voss (13-4), No. 3's Katelyn Czernek and Mary Ann Piel (15-5) and No. 4 unit of Caitlin Grow and Rachel Boorom (15-2) also boast impressive records.

"The FVC is going to be a difficult tournament with Prairie Ridge in there," Nead said. "If we finish second in the conference, then we would have had a good tournament."

EAGLES: With losses to Murphy and a pair of state-ranked opponents, Smith heads into the FVC Meet as a top contender with a 17-3 record at No. 1 singles. Smith led Jacobs to a first-place finish at its own invite Saturday with a victory at first singles.

Jacobs coach Jon Betts hopes a sweep in the singles flights will pave the way to a runner-up showing this weekend. The Golden Eagles (11-3, 7-2) singles continue to impress, riding a combined 43-match winning steak into last weekend.

Jen Ruther has recorded 17 straight wins and holds a 19-1 mark at second singles. Marlena Aleksiejczyk hasn't dropped a conference match in three years at No. 3 and looks to repeat as conference champion.

"We feel that we are in a tremendous position to make up ground in the conference tournament, where we will look to take over the second place position behind Prairie Ridge," Betts said.

CHARGERS: Dundee-Crown, which took second at the Jacobs Invite Saturday, defeated Woodstock 4-3 Sept. 27 and carried a record of 14-5, 7-3 heading into a showdown with the Golden Eagles earlier in the week.

Freshman Ale Ballester (21-14) came up big at No. 2 singles to seal the victory over the Blue Streaks and could be a dark horse in the conference. Others to watch for D-C this weekend include No. 1 singles player Stephanie Zundl (20-12) and the top doubles tandem of Kim Miller and Maria Ballester (28-5).

TROJANS: Bud Lachel's squad dropped a 5-2 decision to Crystal Lake South Sept 27 and fell to 3-6 in the FVC (12-9 overall) with a regular-season finale against Woodstock.

Seniors Courtney Koepke and Susanne Johnson have already surpassed the 15-win mark at singles, while seniors Amanda Listak/Megan Resseguie and juniors Rachel Kuchta/Megan Wleklinski have topped that total at doubles.

RAIDERS: Stephanie Koerner and Kathleen Chalas (No. 1 doubles), Lydia Jiang and Holly Dryden (No. 2 doubles) and Heather Niemann (No. 2 singles) have been bright spots for Huntley (2-9) heading into the FVC Tournament.