Andrew takes seventh consecutive SouthWest Suburban Red title

With the postseason approaching, Andrew coach Mandee Wettergren always reminds her Thunderbolts of the same thought.

Though Andrew has dominated the conference for years, no one is going to hand them a title.

“There’s different girls each year, but each year you have the same expectations and for the same things to happen,” Wettergren said. “You still have to do it and push the girls just as hard every single day.”

But through Wednesday’s doubles competition, the Thunderbolts found themselves trailing in the points standings to Lincoln-Way Central.

Host Andrew stormed back in a big way Thursday in the singles competition and the Thunderbolts claimed the SouthWest Suburban Red title with 72 points to Lincoln-Way Central’s 59 points.

The conference title was the seventh in a row and 16th of 17th overall dating back to 1998.

“We go in with that mindset. We want to be conference champions,” Wettergren said. “That’s our goal, and that’s what we work for. We have a tough conference, and we battle every single year. It’s always a fight to the end.”

Andrew’s seven champions over singles and doubles included No. 4 singles Emily Konchan, No. 5 singles Nicole Bernardi, No. 6 singles Amanda Bednarczyk, No. 7 singles Caroline Chrzanowska, No. 10 singles Emily Cavaretta, No. 2 doubles Bednarczyk and Konchan, and No. 5 doubles Chrzanowski and Haley Dendler.

For second-place Lincoln-Way Central, Jana Mudrock won the No. 1 singles title while also winning the No. 3 doubles title with partner Claire Hilgenbrink.

“I’m right where I want to be for the end of the season,” Mudrock said. “I’ve been working hard in practice for this spot right now. Hopefully I’m in a good position for sectionals and state.”

Other champions for Central included Margaret Kolyvas and Maria Brown at No. 1 doubles, No. 4 doubles Racheal Miller and Maria Berenis, Brown at No. 3 singles, and Alexis Derk at No. 9 singles.

The remaining champions were Lincoln-Way West’s Beth Heise at No. 2 singles and Bradley’s Leann Hale at No. 8 singles.

Rounding out the team standings, Bradley (44 points) finished third ahead of Lincoln-Way West (4th, 35), Lincoln-Way East (5th, 11) and Lincoln-Way North (6th, 4).