Hinsdale Central’s Kate Williams already has an impressive tennis resume.
As a sophomore in 1998, she won the state title in doubles with Lorraine Coulter. Last year Williams made a bid to become only the second player ever to win a state title in both doubles and singles before ultimately finishing third in singles as the Red Devils won their sixth state title. This year she has a chance to become only the second player ever to win two doubles titles with two different partners.
But there’s still one mark Williams desperately wants to add to her list of accomplishments: consecutive state team titles.
“I always just try to go out there and do well for the team,” Williams said. “It would be great to win the [team] state title, record or no record.”
Williams and her partner, Meena Anand, took a big step toward reaching their team’s lofty goals Friday in the girls state tennis tournament at Prospect. The Red Devils seniors advanced to Saturday’s semifinals by sweeping Glenbrook South’s Susie Andino and Christina Scala 6-2, 6-2.
Anand and Williams will battle Bloomington’s Jessica Jetton and Jenny Walz when the semifinals begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Prospect. New Trier’s Liz Snell and Lisa Spinney, who finished fourth last year, will take on Liz Moulthrop and Chrissy Ormond of West Aurora in the other semifinal, giving West Aurora a streak of five consecutive appearances in the doubles semifinals thanks to the four-year reign of Stephanie and Natalie Matko.
Hinsdale Central will enter the final day with a one-point lead over New Trier, meaning much will be riding on which school’s doubles team can advance the furthest. If both teams reach the final, the Red Devils might have a mental edge by virtue of their 7-5, 6-2 victory over the Trevians in the doubles final of the New Trier Invitational last month.
Highland Park and Lake Forest are third and fourth, respectively, but neither team has any entrants remaining in the main draw.
“Anytime you win a quarterfinal match it’s big because it’s double points,” said Hinsdale coach Jerilyn Scardina, whose team also had singles player Shawna Zuccarini reach the quarterfinals. “This team is tournament-tough.”
Although Williams split time between singles and doubles during the season, she and Anand commanded enough respect to earn the top seed in the tournament.
“Meena got to the quarters last year and lost to Barrington,” said Scardina, referring to eventual state champions Ashley and Karlyn Martin.
“She’s always been overshadowed by Shawna and Kate, but she’s a great player in her own right,” Scardina said.
In singles, Benet’s Kara Guzman eliminated Zuccarini from the main draw with a 7-5, 6-2 victory. Guzman will face Deerfield’s Nida Waseem, who was a 6-1, 6-4 winner over Christina Gogol of Downers Grove South, in the semifinals.
The other semifinal pairs freshmen Elizabeth Lumpkin of Naperville Central and Bryce Marable of Hinsdale South, meaning a freshman will reach the singles final for the first time since 1985.
