Schwartz sisters finish in top 8

Prairie Ridge's Julie Schwartz battles to get the ball over the net in doubles play with her twin sister, Jackie, during the IHSA state finals consolation round against Deerfield at Rolling Meadows High School. (Sandy Bressner photo)

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

ROLLING MEADOWS – Coach after coach, and even a couple of athletes, came up to Prairie Ridge’s Jackie Schwartz and Julie Schwartz on Saturday. The opponents praised everything from the Schwartzes’ footwork to their attitude.

The twin sisters had lost a bid for fifth place, and their season was over, but the Wolves’ top doubles team made a lot of new fans at the IHSA Girls Tennis State Tournament. The Schwartz girls were not the best, but good luck finding other athletes here who commanded such respect and admiration from opponents.

“It’s really nice to hear,” Jackie Schwartz said. “All of these coaches have great teams.”

Julie Schwartz felt likewise: “It makes you feel pretty good.”

The twin sisters went 1-1 on the final day at state, and finished among the top eight doubles teams, to help Prairie Ridge earn third place in the team standings – the best result for a local girls squad since Crystal Lake Community High School tied for second 31 years ago.

Hinsdale Central won the team title with 50 points, well ahead of Downers Grove South (27) and Prairie Ridge (25). Chicago Parker’s Elizabeth Epstein defeated Hinsdale Central’s Hanna Mar, 6-2, 6-3, to win the singles championship.

Wolves coach Jessica Fetnzer, who before had teams and players do well at state – but never this well – said the Schwartzes earned every bit of congratulations from what can be a discriminating crowd.

“I feel so lucky to be able to coach them because of their wonderful attitude,” Fetzner said. “They have such a will to win, but despite being so competitive, they are some of the nicest girls that you ever will meet. A lot of times, players can be prima donnas. These two are the opposite of that.

“That’s why they have so many people congratulating them – because of how wonderful they are on the court and as people, period.”

Fetzner apparently picked the right time to team up the sisters; Julie Schwartz played singles before this season but was able to join her sister because of a strong freshmen class.

“They were so excited to get a chance to play together,” Fetzner said.

Schwartz and Schwartz won their first 37 matches together and finished 38-2 – quite a way to finish their junior season.

“This gives us a lot to build on for next season,” Jackie Schwartz said.

Chicago Parker’s Elizabeth Epstein took first place in singles, and Hinsdale Central’s Courtney Dolehide and Nida Hamilton won doubles – with their school taking first place overall.

The story of the tournament in many ways was Prairie Ridge, which had more points than traditional state powers such as Lake Forest, Highland Park and New Trier.

“It’s been a great run,” Fetzner said. “The girls have been fantastic to coach. They’re nice girls. It made my job a lot easier.”