Girls Tennis returns to St. Scholastica as Benet Academy plays host to Oak Park-River Forest to begin the 2021 season on a hot and humid day.
The girls tennis season is back in action as Coach Hand and Benet Academy welcome Oak Park-River Forest to the St. Scholastica courts in Lisle. The 1A sectional champion Redwings with an intriguing mix of veteran and first year talent.
One Singles
Temperatures in the mid 90’s with Senior Felicity Kolb playing one singles to start the year against Huskie freshman Maeve Marzec. Kolb serves in the near court and showcases a wide array of returns. Eventually Marzec finds the net as Kolb takes the first set 6-1.
Second set as Kolb serves in the far court and we see a nice volley between these two. The Redwing senior, who served as one half of the doubles sectional champions a year ago, secures the win by spinning her return just out of the reach of Marzec. It’s a 6-1, 6-2 straight set win for Kolb.
Two Singles
Benet with a senior at one singles and a freshman at two singles. Meredith Converse takes on OPRF senior Alina Segal. A slower pace in this match, as neither competitor can seem to gain an edge. Converse with a lob followed by a hard forehand. Segal hits the net and the young Redwing takes the first set. But before the second set finishes, the match would be halted due to lightning.
Two Doubles
Another match that did not finish was two doubles, but we’ll show you what happened until it was stopped. Claire Converse and and freshman Shane Delaney take on Martha Brennan and Basma Raja from OPRF. Delaney gets the Wings off to a good start as she charges the net and forces the error.
Converse serves later in the set and tracks down the big lob return. Both teams trade lobs for a bit until the Huskies unleash a powerful smash for the point. OPRF wins the first set before the lightning arrives, but they do not get an official victory since the match was stopped.
One Doubles
The final match that was completed is one doubles as Benet senior Kaitlyn Lee pairing with freshman Clare Lopatka. They oppose Margot Eldred and Angie Berggren.
Lee serves in the far court and goes back and forth several times. The 2019 1A doubles state champion gets some help from her young partner who steps in for the point.
Lee serves again later in the set, but OPRF is ready this time, getting a quick smash down the middle of the court. However, Benet takes the first set 6-2.
Second set and Lee serves again, the Huskies send a few back before Lopatka gets some heat behind her forehand return and picks up the win. Redwings win one doubles 6-2, 6-0 and take the team victory by winning the five matchups that were fully completed.
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