Jessica Gomez, T.F. South tear up South Suburban tournament

When T.F. South’s Jessica Gomez sprained her ankle two weeks ago, the senior had a doomsday moment.

The injury wasn’t as severe as the ACL tear she sustained last year at the state tournament, but a late-season injury? Could this be cause for concern?

Nope. Not for Gomez.

“I knew it wasn’t as bad, knew it was just a sprain,” Gomez said. “I rested the ankle, rehabbed it, and now I’m all better. It’s 100 percent. Thank God it was a month before the state tournament.”

Back on the court Saturday, Gomez won the No. 1 singles title as host T.F. South dominated the South Suburban Conference tournament, defeating Oak Lawn. Combined with Thursday’s doubles competition, T.F. South won 14 of 15 championships across singles and doubles.

It was Gomez’s third straight No. 1 singles conference title, and the fourth consecutive conference title for T.F. South as a team.

In the championship match, Gomez defeated Oak Lawn’s Tara Hill 21-8, 21-7. Prepping for this week’s sectional and state tournament the following week, Gomez is working on building her wind back up after several weeks off.

“I worked on my single serve, looking for no mistakes,” Gomez said. “It was pretty easy-going. My goal is to condition for state. I get tired easily, and I need to work on that. Other than that, I think I’m ready.”

Having won the No. 1 doubles title Thursday with partner Jenna Pasko, Cassie Breshock won the No. 2 singles title Saturday, beating Reavis’ Stephanie Cardenas 21-11, 21-10.

“Our focus is on doubles more because that’s what the state tournament is for us,” Breshock said. “We came in with confidence, and I played well.”

Other champions for T.F. South included Pasko (No. 3 singles), Bri Walker (No. 4 singles), Cameron Crosby (No. 5 singles), Brittany Arreola (No. 6 singles), Jeanne Colin (No. 8 singles), Kristi Fisher (No. 9 singles) and Precious Powe (No. 10 singles).

The lone non-T.F. South champion was Oak Lawn’s Nayfah Thnaibat who won No. 7 singles for the Spartans.

In the team standings, Oak Lawn (29 points) finished second ahead of Reavis (3rd, 20), Oak Forest (4th, 14), Shepard (5th, 3.5), T.F. North (6th, 2) and Argo (7th).