GIRLS PREP TENNIS PREVIEW
Three storylines to watch
Wide-open: Racine Case's Bojana Pozder dominated the state tournament last season on the way to becoming the school's first tennis champion. The sophomore isn't competing this season, leaving a number of worthy contenders for the title. Seniors Natalie Yang of Homestead and Jordan Schifano of Divine Savior Holy Angels are the area's top returners, but there are a number of players who should feel like they have a chance.
Still streaking: Homestead hasn't just won the past three Division 1 state titles, it has done so without losing a dual. The Highlanders are 72-0 during the stretch, success that is expected to continue this season. The team returns all but one player from last season, a list that includes Yang, who finished third in singles, senior Sasha Shapsis, who finished fifth in doubles with Grace Crowley, who graduated, and senior Bridget Brown and junior Kate Wade, who were sixth in doubles.
Taking the next step: Last year Catholic Memorial made its first state tournament appearance. Could the Crusaders win the title this year? The team returns eight of its 10 starters, including state medalist Lauren Carson, and senior Rylee Teuteberg, who finished sixth in doubles with graduated senior Margaret Diedrich. The team, however, shifts sectionals this year. In order to reach state, they'll have to get past defending champion University School.
Players to watch
Autumn Bruno, jr., Whitnall: The two-time state qualifier reached the quarterfinals last season. As a freshman, she lost to the eventual champion in the semifinals and finished fourth with a 25-1 record.
Margaret Bugnacki, sr., Shorewood: In her first state tournament appearance, Bugnacki reached the Division 2 quarterfinals before losing to the eventual champion. She finished sixth and is the No. 3 returner in the field this year.
Lauren Carson, jr., Catholic Memorial: In addition to leading the Crusaders to their first state team appearance, Carson qualified for state for the second time, took fifth in Division 2 and finished with a 25-4 record. She is the defending Classic 8 champion.
Elena Deslongchamps, sr., and Katie Kavanagh, jr., Whitefish Bay: The tandem, which finished 17-9 last season, was seeded 14th at the Division 1 state meet but reached the semifinals and finished fourth. Their the top returning team from the state meet.
Sarah Gesner, sr., The Prairie School: A two-time state doubles qualifier, Gesner teamed up with Hailey Stoltenberg to reach the Division 2 state final last year. With Stoltenberg lost to graduation, Gesner will play singles this year.
Zaya Iderzul, soph., Badger: She went 23-5 as a freshman and reached the third round of the state tournament.
Lauren Landstrom, sr., New Berlin Eisenhower: Last year she made her third state appearance and reached the quarterfinals. She finished sixth in Division 1
Jordan Schifano, sr., DSHA: The three-time state qualifier has reached the semifinals in Division 1 the past two seasons. She finished third as a sophomore and fourth last year.
Natalie Yang, sr., Homestead: She stepped into the No. 1 spot for the Highlanders last season and shined, winning the North Shore Conference title at that flight and posting a 32-6 record for the year. She finished third in Division 1.