Roesslein maintains Maruyama streak

It was no surprise when Gators coach Don Nead switched Jennifer Maruyama from singles to doubles late in the season.

That had been the game plan during her first three years at Crystal Lake South, when Maruyama collected a pair of sectional titles and secured three straight trips to the state tournament with teammate Amy Siemon.

Siemon grabbed her diploma last spring, but Maruyama was lucky that veteran doubles player Laura Roesslein had built up a formidable resume and was ready to assume the role.

"(Maruyama) knew how tough it was going to be to make it in singles," Roesslein said. "It's exciting. Jenny's really good, as you know. It's a little bit of pressure though. I'm just not used to it."

South's new doubles tandem turned out to be quite a pair.

A week after earning runner-up honors at the FVC Meet, Maruyama is headed to her fourth straight State Meet. She and her junior partner -- who will play at State for the first time -- ended up fourth at the Cary-Grove Sectional Saturday.

"They complement each other real well," said Nead, whose club finished fourth (10 points) Saturday. "Jenny is a nice hard hitter and Laura is just a steady player. That's really what you look for in a doubles team."

The State Tournament, which is hosted by Prospect, will get underway today (Thursday) at various northwest suburban sites and conclude Saturday.

"It's really awesome to be going again," said Maruyama, who hopes to play Division III tennis next year. "For not having that many matches together, I think we've progressed pretty well.

"I'm going to try to have fun (at State). It's my last year and she's a great partner."

South's top pair suffered its first loss in the three weeks of playing together, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 to Prairie Ridge seniors Emily Murphy and Laura Curran in the semifinals. Crystal Lake Central seniors Bridget Collins and Elle Fox then downed Maruyama/Roesslein 6-1, 7-6 in the third-place match.

The FVC-champion Wolves won the sectional with 34 points, followed by Marian Central (18), while the host Trojans were fifth (8).

"I know that there have been some strong teams here," Maruyama added, 'and it's a little more comforting going into State knowing that we got there going through those teams."

LARKIN SECTIONAL: Jacobs swept the top two spots in both singles and doubles en route to the Larkin Sectional title Saturday afternoon.

Golden Eagles senior Annie Smith topped teammate Jen Ruther 6-1, 6-3 for the singles championship. Seniors Marlena Aleksiejczyk/Kelly Lippner defeated Heather Graham/Kellie Stoka in the all-Jacobs doubles final 7-5, 6-2.

Jacobs finished with 36 points at Larkin, while Dundee-Crown took second (16) and Huntley was fifth (8).

For the Chargers, senior Stephanie Zundl and the doubles team of Kim Miller/Maria Ballester also advanced to this weekend's state tournament with fourth-place finishes.