Glenbrook North Sectional notebook: Annemarie Emme advances to state

NORTHBROOK — Annemarie Emme won the singles title at the Glenbrook North girls tennis sectional and will return to the state tournament for the fourth year in a row.

The senior’s goal is simple: Do better than the previous season. So far, she’s accomplished that. After losing her only match as a freshman, Emme went 7-2 and lost in the consolation semifinals the next season. She went 6-2 and placed sixth last fall.

“I will just try my best and see what happens,” Emme said. “I’ve been there before, so I know not to freak out in certain situations.”

In Monday’s sectional final, Emme beat Maine South junior Leigh Friedman 6-3, 6-2 to capture her second sectional championship. The top four in both singles and doubles advanced to the state tournament, which is Thursday through Saturday at District 211, 214 and 220 courts.

Now that she’s a veteran, Emme said she’s become a more patient player.

“I have learned to slow down, stay under control,” she said. “In years past, if I lost a point, I would try and hit it harder and rush between points.”

Glenbrook South coach Stephanie Mats said she’d like to see Emme be even more deliberate. But the coach said Emme is much better at it.

“It’s about picking my moments,” Emme said. “My experience has helped me do that.”

Glenbrook North

A season-ending shoulder injury to top singles player Maddy Kahn forced Spartans coach Peggy Holecek to shuffle her lineup this year.

That meant sophomore Colette O’Regan and her sister, freshman Catherine O’Regan, played singles during Central Suburban North competitions and teamed up to play doubles at weekend invitationals.

“They are good athletes and have been able to adapt to help us in both singles and doubles,” Holecek said. “They’ve had some really nice wins together.”

At Glenbrook North’s sectional tournament, the O’Regan sisters took second and earned a trip to the state tournament. They lost to Glenbrook South seniors Martina Dragoytchev and Jessica Chepurda 6-2, 7-5 in Monday’s final.

Spartans sophomores Hailey Koretz and C.C. Chatas also advanced to the state tournament in doubles, while junior Danielle Sokol earned a berth in singles. Koretz played at the state tournament a year ago with Colette O’Regan.

Maine East

The Blue Demons didn’t have any girls qualify for the state tournament.

The doubles team of seniors Christie Bek and Patricia Leon won its first match against Taft before losing to Prospect in the second round. Sarah Choi won one match in singles, but she also lost in the second round.