SouthtownStar badminton notes

Reavis, which perennially boasts one of the strongest doubles teams in the Southland, lost both of its state-qualifying doubles teams that led the Rams to a fourth-place finish at state in 2013 to graduation.

The names may change, but the goals stay the same for the Rams.

Coach Cyndi Dyrkacz thinks her new doubles rotation similarly has a chance to make a run to state. Reavis is 6-1 in dual meets as a team.

“We have the skills, so we’re just looking for that consistency,” Dyrkacz said. “I’m happy with the girls. It’s kinda scary replacing all those girls, but this group has stepped up in some instances.”

Two seniors, Stephanie Cardenas and Anna Wypych, are 15-5 at No. 1 doubles while two juniors, Elizabeth Doory and Rocheni Calalang, are 17-4 at No. 2 doubles.

Doory and Calalang pushed a solid Buffalo Grove doubles team (that ultimately won the No. 2 title) to three sets at the Lockport Invitational before falling.

“When they went three games with Buffalo Grove, that showed the caliber of what they can do,” Dyrkacz said.

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