O'FALLON, Ill. • Could this be the start of another quarter century of Belleville West dominance?
The West girls tennis team, which had its 25-year streak of sectional titles snapped by Althoff last season, regained the championship Saturday in the finals of the O'Fallon Sectional. The Maroons outscored second-place Belleville East 33-26 as they qualified both singles players and both doubles teams for the state tournament slated for Thursday through Saturday in suburban Chicago. The top four singles players and the top four doubles teams at the sectional move on to state.
"If it is an another quarter century, it won't be with me at the helm," said longtime West coach Bob Keefe, who returned in 2010 after a three-year retirement. "I can't tell you how proud I am of these girls. Kelcie Comley was the only one back from last year at the same spot. Everyone else had to move up at least one spot or they weren't ever here last year."
Comley, a sectional doubles champion with Alli Chadwick the past two seasons, claimed another title with new partner Blair Hollenbeck as they defeated East's Alana Hofmann and Rebecca McIsaac 6-4, 7-5.
"We played them twice before and beat them twice, but at the Bloomington Tournament it went to a third-set tiebreaker," Comley said. "We knew it was going to be a tough battle, especially with the wind.
"For state, we want to make it past the first day. Alli and I made it to the round of 16 last year, so we want to get that far, at least."
In the singles final, West freshman Kayleigh Thurwalker posted a 6-3, 7-5 win over East's Savannah Martin.
"I want to be No. 1 next year, and this was a huge match to prove I can do it," Thurwalker said. "I was a little tired at the end. I got too emotional and I tried to get my face back on. I just kept hustling and trying to get every little drop shot she made."
Thurwalker, who played No. 4 singles most of the season, has improved faster than Keefe expected.
"She has an outstanding work ethic and she's a good athlete," Keefe said. "Mentally, they don't come a whole lot tougher than her."
Althoff's lone state qualifier was Shannon Wuller, who took third place in singles with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory over West's Laura Knysak.
In the third-place doubles match, West picked up its third win of the day as Anna Mernick and Anna Bullard defeated East's Allison Harres and Lexi Baysinger 6-4, 6-1.
"Lexi and Allison winning last night over O'Fallon (in the quarterfinals) was huge, especially because Allison has been nursing a foot injury," said East coach Rebecca Schrader. "I knew our No. 1 singles and doubles would have a great chance of going (to state), but we were able to sneak out one more. The goal for next week is to make it to Friday."
Keefe, with three players making their first state tournament appearance, knows the competition will be even tougher next weekend.
"I think a top 20 finish is realistic, but if we get a great draw and everything falls into place, we could get into the top 15," Keefe said.
EDWARDSVILLE WINS AT ALTON
At the Alton Sectional, Edwardsville claimed its 15th straight title. The doubles final was an all-Tigers affair, with Paige Sturley and Jessica Bonham defeating Jessica Burns and Tess Severin 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
"They both wanted to be champions, and they have a lot of pride," said Edwardsville coach Dave Lipe, who knows that teammates squaring off at the sectional often produce less-than-inspiring tennis. "I'm really happy for both teams."
In the singles final, Edwardsville's Morgan McGinnis defeated Triad's Rachel Allard 6-4, 6-3. The Tigers' Paige Bequette took third place with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Marquette's Janelle Wilson.
Marquette's Caroline Claywell beat Triad's Alexis McCarthy and Jenny Lange 6-3, 6-3 for third place in doubles.
Edwardsville had 35 points, while Marquette edged Triad 21-20 for second place.
"Triad and Marquette are two of the stronger teams in the area, so the competition was good," Lipe said. "Our girls rose to the occasion."
