After a long two days (Oct. 11-12) of battling, the Cyclones grabbed a runners-up finish in the NJCAA Region IV tournament, which qualified them for the national tournament.
In a tight battle, the Cyclones earned second place by half a point. McHenry County College took first with 19.5 points while the Cyclones had 12 and edged out Sauk Valley Community College (11.5).
The final standings came down to the doubles matches. At one point in the tournament there were three 10-point tiebreakers happening simultaneously, but the Cyclones fought hard and played some of their best tennis.
All the Cyclones earned a second or third place finish with a few upsets mixed in. Julie Andrist won her first-round match at No. 2 against an opponent from College of Lake County, whom she lost to in the regular season. Milca Barrera had the same first round experience at the No. 6 position against a player from Milwaukee Area Technical College.
Once the doubles started it became a battle for second overall between the Cyclones and the Skyhawks. Julie Andrist and Trisha Meyers (No. 2 doubles) won 6-3, 6-1 over College of Lake County that earned them .5 points and a tie for second. It was up to Brooke Zielke and Libby Newton at No. 1 doubles. Their only loss during the regular season was to Waubonsee Community College, who they faced again. This time they won in what was the closest match of the season complete with a tiebreaker (6-6, 7-5, 6-4) to seal the runner-up conclusion.
"All six who played stepped up and showed character, sportsmanship and strength. They gave it everything they had. I saw them click and come together. Even the two who didn't play supported everyone. They did what they needed to," said Head Coach Breanna Vollan.
RESULTS
First round
Brooke Zielke (No. 1 singles)- bye
Julie Andrist (No. 2)- won 6-4, 7-5 vs College of Lake County (CLC)
Trisha Meyers (No. 3)- won 6-2, 6-1 vs. Waubonsee Community College (WCC)
Serene Itani (No. 4)- lost 0-6, 5-7
Libby Newton (No. 5)- won 2-6, 6-2, 10-4 vs. Sauk Valley C.C. (SVCC)
Milca Barrera (No. 6)- won 6-3, 6-4 vs. Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC)
Zielke/Newton (No. 1 doubles)- bye
Meyers/Andrist (No. 2)- won 6-2, 6-2 vs. MATC
Itani/Barrera (No. 3)- won 6-6, 7-5, 6-2 vs. CLC
Second round
Zielke- won 6-0, 6-0 vs. CLC
Andrist- lost 0-6, 2-6 vs. Bryant & Stratton College (BSC)
Meyers- won 6-3, 6-3 vs. CLC
Newton- lost 2-6, 0-6 vs. McHenry County College (MCC)
Barrera- 2-6, 6-2, lost tiebreaker vs. CLC
Zielke/Newton- lost 6-4, 3-6 and tiebreaker vs. SVCC
Meyers/Andrist- lost 6-3, 4-6, 8-10 vs. MCC
Itani/Barrera- won 6-4, 3-6, 10-8 vs. MCC
Final round
Zielke- lost 0-6, 0-6 vs. BSC
Andrist- lost 3-6, 3-6 vs. MCC
Meyers- lost 4-6, 6-1, tiebreaker vs. MCC
Newton- lost 0-6, 2-6 vs. CLC
Barrera- lost 3-6, 2-6 vs. SVCC
Zielke/Newton- won third place after a win 6-6, 7-5, 6-4 vs. WCC
Meyers/Andrist- won third place after a win 6-3, 6-1 vs. CLC
Itani/Barrera- earned second place after losing 1-6, 0-6