Trojans out to defend conference title.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
The Timothy Christian girls tennis team had an impressive 2016 conference run.
The Trojans won the Metro Suburban Conference Red Division title, sweeping all five positions in the tournament.
Trojans coach Keith Mills said his squad figures to be a strong favorite again in 2017 with Chicago Christian as a key foe with most of its starters returning. The Red Division has a new look with longtime Timothy rival Illiana Christian moving to the Blue Division and town neighbor IC Catholic Prep joining the Red Division.
Mills’ conference-favorite prediction stems from the experience he has returning. Junior Abygale Ahn is back after earning a top-8 finish in the Class A state tournament as a sophomore. Ahn will play first singles and first doubles. She went 5-2 at the state tournament and finished the season with a 28-4 record.
Senior Anna Thompson is back at first doubles. She was an all-conference choice last year after being part of the conference-champion No. 2 doubles squad. Senior Avy Traux is back at second doubles. She also was all-conference via her No. 3 doubles title a year ago.
Freshman Cassandra Lee is new to the squad and will play both No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. Sophomore Cary Bone will play No. 2 singles after having a solid season as the team’s No. 1 singles player on the JV team. Junior Aby Carstenson will play No. 2 doubles, while seniors Ellie Jarzombek and Jill Bury along with junior Gabby Silvia will play second and third doubles.
Mills noted Ahn and Lee will form quite the punch at the top of the lineup. “We have two top-level players in Abygale and Cassandra,” he said. “Both could go undefeated in the regular season at first singles so the top of our lineup will be strong. We have several players battling for doubles spots so depth will be better than last year as well. Cassandra will get better each week. Having her in the lineup takes some pressure off Abygale to carry things. The two playing together will be interesting.
“We are blessed to have two top players (Ahn and Lee) at a small school such as Timothy. We likely will pair them together for the state tournament and they have a good chance of going a long way and even contend for a state championship. We also have the players to win at lower positions, but need to work hard the next few weeks.”
Mills also is high on Jarzombek and Carstenson, a transfer from Hinsdale Central who did not play at Hinsdale but has previously played the game.
“Ellie has played well so far. We need her to pick up wins at third doubles,” said Mills. “Aby is a great athlete who has a lot of potential.”
Mills feels that improved depth will make a difference, particularly during dual meets. “We’ll be strongest at first singles and doubles, much like last year,” he said. “When we lost last year, it usually was 3-2 with us losing at other positions. Third doubles I feel will be stronger this year.”
The Trojans are entered into four weekend tournaments where they primarily will see Class AA schools. “We should be able to compete and hold our own against the big guys and that will help us in our dual meets down the road,” he said.
Mills also likes the group’s chemistry. “First off, the team has a very positive attitude and good chemistry between teammates,” he said.
Mills said the team’s goals are to win the conference title again, win a Class A sectional title and improve on the squad’s 11th-place state finish last year.
The Trojans opened the season earlier this week against IC Catholic Prep.
