SKOKIE — Long after Michelle Bacalla’s last tennis match ended at the Central Suburban North tournament, the newly minted No. 1 singles conference champion remained full of energy.
Along with two other Niles North teammates, the freshman was cheering on one of the Vikings’ double teams. Every point produced a reaction from Bacalla, and it was easy to tell how much she enjoys being part of her high school team.
“Sometimes my parents have thought about maybe me not playing [at Niles North], but I love it,” Bacalla said. “It’s been great to help out the team this year. I’m loving my new family.”
According to Niles North coach John Amaro, Bacalla’s supreme talent could have enabled her to forgo the Vikings, instead choosing to train at The Lincolnshire Club and play United States Tennis Association tournaments.
“She does everything well,” Amaro said. “She can hit any ball with any spin. She can create her own shots and hit winners from all over the court. The only way to stop her is if she’s having an off day.”
At the New Trier Sectional on Saturday, the 14-year-old Bacalla became the first girls player at Niles North to advance to the state tournament since Anastasjia Dabiza accomplished the feat in 2008 as a senior. Dabiza also qualified for the state tournament as a freshman.
Bacalla finished second at the sectional to Northside freshman Nicole Roc, one of the top national recruits for the Class of 2018, according to tennisrecruiting.net. Both of Bacalla’s losses this season have been to Roc.
New Trier senior Taylor Tamblyn, a three-time state qualifier, said Bacalla is tough to beat on the court.
“She has good shot selection, [and] she sets up a point well,” Tamblyn said.
Bacalla’s brother — Dave Bacalla, a 2013 Niles North graduate — was a three-time qualifier for the state tournament. Michelle Bacalla said he encouraged her to play for the Vikings.
“He said it was fun,” Michelle Bacalla said. “He said you meet a lot of people you can hang out with.”
It didn’t take long for Amaro to see how gifted Michelle Bacalla was on the court. On the first day of tryouts, it was clear she was better than all of the other Vikings, the coach said. That’s why Amaro agreed to allow his star to practice during the week at The Lincolnshire Club, where her oldest brother, Rey Bacalla, is an instructor. Rey Bacalla graduated from Lane before playing tennis at Western Michigan.
“I thought I would be able to hit with her, play some points,” Amaro said. “But she hits the ball so hard and so heavy. It was hard to argue against letting her practice on her own. If she stayed with us, her game could have gotten stagnant or declined.
“We wanted to avoid the extreme. It didn’t have to be all or nothing with us.”
Michelle Bacalla said the arrangement “keeps me on top of my game.”
Amaro said he believes Bacalla’s parents understand the benefits of their daughter competing for her high school team. Sophomore Sabrina Palavra, the team’s No. 2 singles player, also sometimes practices on her own during the week.
“We are fortunate both sets of parents don’t behave in extreme ways,” Amaro said. “They see the benefit in the balance.”
