Girls Tennis: Caitlin Shea takes Joliet West deep
By Josh Krockey For Sun-Times Media October 19, 2012 11:44PM
Updated: October 20, 2012 4:42PM
Kit Gillman was a happy man Friday.
“This is the longest I’ve ever been here,” the Joliet West co-op coach said. “This is a good deal.”
The reason for his excitement was senior Caitlin Shea, who won both of her matches at Rolling Meadows in the Girls State Tennis Tournament.
Those victories enabled her to advance to the fifth round of the consolation bracket Saturday.
Never before has Gillman — the team’s coach since the mid-90s — had an individual advance this far on the state level.
“This is the best I’ve ever seen her play in four years,” he said. “It was like she was on fire. I’m impressed with how far she’s come in her attitude and how she plays on the court.”
Shea, a senior, won her both of her matches in straight sets, the first a 6-2, 6-3 decision over Chicago Christian’s Lexi Chionis. Shea then topped Katherine Farris of Glenwood 6-0, 6-2.
“I’ve worked really hard this season, harder than in past seasons,” Shea said. “Finally, it’s starting to pay off.
“I’m more motivated to win and that’s helped me a lot in difficult matches.”
Shea’s fifth-round opponent Saturday was Metea Valley’s Kelsey Chin.
Joliet Catholic’s Harley Hutchison and Bolingbrook’s Nneka Onyejiaka also posted victories in consolation play.
Hutchison beat Young’s Kate Ushakova 6-1, 6-0 in the fourth round, while Onyejiaka won 6-0, 6-0 in the third round over Belleville Althoff’s Shannon Wuller.
Saturday, Hutchison was scheduled to play Quincy’s Kadi Fauble. Onyejiaka was slated to oppose Oak Park’s Samantha Schafer.
The Providence doubles team of Maggie and Katie Ruane were eliminated by York’s Gabby Riek and Ellen Barry, 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the third round of the consolation draw.
