Even without one of its best players in the lineup, Stevenson’s girls tennis team made a statement last weekend.
The Patriots ruled the Prospect Fall Classic, with senior Kendall Kirsch leading the way after a grueling three-set title match victory to help Stevenson (14-0) look like one of the best teams in the state.
With Zoe Manion in California on a college recruiting trip, Stevenson coach Tom Stanhope was forced to juggle his lineup. His players delivered.
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“That’s the luxury of having such a deep team,” Stanhope said. “The depth on this team has been the biggest surprise. It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to say we have the best four doubles teams in the state, certainly the best reserve squad in the state. And I’m not just saying that, we’re seeing it. Everybody is stepping up.”
The No. 1 doubles team of junior Vinaya Rao and freshman Kate Harvey improved to 22-0 with a straight-set victory against New Trier. Kirsch, part of a state-championship doubles team last year, went the distance against New Trier’s Taylor Tamblyn, outlasting the state quarterfinal qualifier 7-5, 6-7, 7-5 to improve to 14-0.
Kirsch struggled at times physically but showed her toughness that could come in handy at the state tournament.
“The actual tennis deteriorated a little bit there at the end, but it was her ability to fight that really showed her resiliency,” Stanhope said. “It was her fourth match of the day, and at that point you’re playing against your own body as much as your opponent.
“Tennis isn’t always going to be at the highest level. You see that at the state tournament. Sometimes when you’re not playing your best or you’re in your third or fourth match of the day, you have to find a way to play through it and win with only 60 percent of your game.”
Stanhope successfully broke up his normal No. 1 doubles team of freshman Zoe Taylor and senior Kaylin Dong. Dong won at No. 3 singles while Taylor pulled off perhaps the upset of the tournament with a victory at No. 2 singles. The Patriots also took home the No. 2 doubles title featuring Michelle Tulchinskaya and Bronwyn Heidkamp.
The Patriots have won quietly this year but plan to make noise at the state tournament.
“We start with three goals every year, and that’s to win conference, qualify the whole team for state and then win state,” Stanhope said. “And this year I think all three are attainable. Nobody’s talking about it. But I’m definitely feeling the buzz.