Senior Katie DeJesus fondly remembers her first Riverside Brookfield High School varsity badminton season in 2022.
She was a sophomore among a veteran group of 15 seniors, including doubles partner Zona Evans.
“There was a really good senior team and I was [Evans’] doubles partner so I felt included by them,” DeJesus said. “I feel like we’re doing a good job with that, too.”
These days, DeJesus is among eight seniors for the Bulldogs, who were 5-15 in 2023 with a largely inexperienced lineup.
At last year’s Hinsdale Central Sectional, DeJesus finished 2-2 in singles, two victories away from a top-four finish to reach state. DeJesus and Evans were 2-2 in doubles at the 2022 sectional.
Beautiful Annerin
“I really hope to go to state this year. That’s a really important thing to me,” DeJesus said.
Also back from 2023 sectionals are DeJesus and seniors Amelia Orszulak and Bella Annerino, who played No. 1-2-3 singles during the regular season. DeJesus and Orszulak were at No. 1 doubles. At sectionals, Orszulak and Annerino played doubles and junior Luna McNally played singles, both going 0-2.
Other key players include seniors Hannah Frank, Jessica Voth, Danielle DiMonte and Claire Krupske, junior Clare Ruska and sophomore Aubrey Kaczmarek.
“It’s really exciting to be a senior this year because I’m with all of my friends and it’s a very strong team,” DeJesus said. “Everyone on the varsity team is super helpful and likes to demonstrate. [RBHS coach Dan Herbeck] has us demonstrate [drills] so we’re very open to helping all of the new players, which makes it a good team bonding type of thing.”
The Bulldogs have started 1-1-1, beating Morton 7-1 and tying Oak Lawn 4-4, March 19, and losing to Reavis 13-2 in the March 14 opener. They finished seventh at the Shepard Invite, March 16.
Audrey Shell (left), Julia Senffner and Mia Graziano are Lyons Township’s returning 2023 state qualifiers. | Bill Stone
Lyons Township
The Lions have a new head coach in Stephanie Spytek and a wealth of state experience. Senior Julia Senffner and juniors Mia Graziano and Audrey Shell return from the 2023 state lineup, when the Lions advanced both singles and doubles entries with top-four sectional finishes for the first time since 2010 as well as winning their first sectional since 2013 and only their fourth ever.
“Since the beginning of the season, the team has been analyzing their opponents’ shots and strengths to help their play,” Spytek said. “[Our goals are] to be competitive in the conference and qualify a full team for the state tournament.”
In their first state trips, Senffner (19-18) was 3-2 in singles and finished among the top 24. Graziano and graduated Sofia Garcia (14-24) were 1-2 in doubles and Shell (17-19) lost her two matches. At sectionals, Senffner and Shell were third and fourth in singles and Graziano and Garcia were third.
Other varsity returnees include seniors Alicia Biel, Adriana Dvorak and Alyssa Thakadiyil, and junior Simone Brown. Newcomers include juniors Pati Pawlikowski, Tessa Kochanek, Malina Carli, Stella Luna, Vanessa Zhang, Catherine McVady and Julia Truesdale.
The Lions also hope to improve upon finishing 3-2 in West Suburban Conference Silver duals and tying for third overall with Downers Grove North.
“Working together will make this is a successful season. And having fun, of course,” Spytek responded.
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2024-03-26 21:01:15
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