WomensTennis

By Billy Cruz
Assistant Sports Editor

The women’s tennis team went undefeated during the regular season and defended their regional title at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills on Oct. 12-13, claiming the Region IV Division II Women’s Tennis Tournament with 22 team points, followed by McHenry County (18) and Elgin(8).

With the victory, Illinois Valley will advance as a team to the national tournament at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas on May 4-11, 2002.

IVCC was able to record five regional championships. Kathryn Hertzner went 3-0 and claimed first place in # 4 singles, while Heidi Hewitt went 3-0 at # 5 singles and Melissa Avenarius went 3-0 at # 6 singles, as both joined Hertzner in recording regional championships in their respective flights.

Illinois Valley also claimed two doubles titles, as Sara Smith and Hertzner went undefeated at # 2 doubles and Hewitt and Avenarius secured the # 3 doubles championship hardware.

IVCC also received a strong showing from Wendy Grabowski, who went 2-1 to finish 2nd at # 1 singles, while Nicole Frkol and Smith went 2-1, finishing with 3rd place honors. Grabowski and Frkol also aided to IVCC’s cause with an impressive 2nd place showing in # 1 doubles competition.

"Our depth has been our team strength all season long," said IVCC coach Steve Crick. "We came through in a big way to hold off McHenry County."

Crick felt that there were two turning points during the tournament that propelled his team to their second consecutive regional title.

"Sara (Smith) and Kathryn (Hertzner) were on the brink of losing, down 9-1 in their semifinal game at # 2 doubles and pulled out a miraculous come-from-behind 12-10 victory," said the coach. " Then Heidi (Hewitt) injured her leg, but refused to quit and she ended up winning her doubles match. Both of those were momentum builders for the entire team."

Smith said, "I am so proud of our team. We have dominated the last two years, and to beat out our arch rivals from McHenry County both years at regionals is really something."

Wendy Grabowski added: "We are looking forward to the competition and fun in Texas this year."

With the team advancing to the national tournament, Crick feels the teams’ goals were accomplished.

"Our goal was to make it back to nationals and we have done that," said Crick. "We were hoping to peak at the right time and we did. This is just a great team effort. We knew if everyone played up to their potential that we could win enough points to win the regional tournament."

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