Hinsdale Central’s Sophia Haleas and Lyons’ Jelly Bozovic have been friends since the seventh grade and usually hit the tennis ball around for fun at a local court.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, they played for higher stakes in the West Suburban Silver championship at No. 1 singles in Glen Ellyn.
Bozovic won 6-2, 6-2 to hand Haleas her first loss of the season. But both walked away pleased with the performance.
The conference championship match was the first meeting of the season between the duo — Haleas is usually the Red Devils’ No. 2 singles player. The next time they could meet is at the state meet, since they are in separate sectionals on Saturday, Oct. 17. Hinsdale Central heads to Downers Grove South, while Lyons competes at home.
“I was happy with how I played,” Bozovic said. “It was a big confidence boost. I think I’ll go far in the sectional and at state.”
Haleas lives in Clarendon Hills, while Bozovic is from Burr Ridge.
“We’ve known each other since way back,” said Haleas.
Hinsdale Central (42 points) won its 15th consecutive conference title by sweeping all four levels of doubles play, led by Stephanie Dolehide and Megan Guenther’s title at No. 1. The Red Devils competed without No. 1 singles player Isabella Lorenzini.
A favorite for the state singles title, Lorenzini was out of town on a recruiting trip, which bumped up Haleas.
“I knew I would play No. 1 a week ago. I didn’t feel any difference,” Haleas said.
Haleas commits to Utah State
It took a casual conversation with a neighbor for Haleas to consider Utah State. After taking an unofficial visit before the season, Haleas verbally committed to the university last month.
Her neighbor, Bruce Lithgow, spoke nearly a year ago to Haleas about the virtues of his college alma mater.
“He told me about it and some amazing things about the school,” said Haleas, who was impressed by the tennis complex and the school’s nutrition program.
“I fell in love with the school and what it had to offer. I loved the campus and the team. Everything was pretty close and they had a brand, new facility.”
Haleas helped the Red Devils win the West Suburban Silver title under first-year coach Scott Radecki, a longtime assistant coach and graduate of Hinsdale who stepped in for Robin Kramer before the season.
“Sophia will perform well there (at Utah State),” Radecki said. “It’s a great opportunity for her.”
Gibson goes OT
Senior Hanna Gibson placed fourth at No. 1 singles for third-place Oak Park-River Forest after losing to Glenbard West’s Caroline Maltby 7-6, 6-0.
Gibson had to recover after playing a three-hour match Friday against Downers Grove North’s Adeline Lang. Gibson won 7-6, 6-3, but on Saturday she dropped two matches, including 6-0, 6-1 to Haleas in the semifinals.
“I was pretty sore, but I tried my best,” Gibson said.
The Huskies’ runner-up doubles team at No. 2, Audrey Angelos and Maya Trinka, lost to Hinsdale Central’s Zeanna Balawi and Sam Usher, 6-4, 6-1.
More Top Picks Signs Of Dyslexia In Adults Who Were Never Diagnosed
Lyons sweeps singles
Lyons took all three singles titles. Stefana Vasic beat Hinsdale Central’s Mira Amin 5-4, 6-3 in the No. 2 final, while Joie Reisch won over Hinsdale Central freshman Olivia Oesterban, 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 at No. 3.
Lyons’ best finish at doubles was the runner-up combination of Frannie Corrigan and Abby Sindelar at No. 3.
Paist places fifth
Sarah Paist won a consolation title for sixth-place York at No. 2 singles. She beat Downers North’s Hana Kolman, 6-4, 6-3 to finish as the top singles player for the Dukes. Maja Shaw lost her consolation final, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 1 singles to Downers North’s Lang.
Twitter @geomwilcox