No. 1 doubles team lifts Jacobs

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CRYSTAL LAKE – Lauren Steinkamp and Marcilyn Rowan are putting their experience to work playing in their senior season at No. 1 doubles for Jacobs.

Steinkamp and Rowan defeated Robin Sweeney and Natalie Favia, 6-1, 6-2, to lead the Golden Eagles to a 5-2 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division win against Prairie Ridge on Thursday.

After playing part-time their freshman season, the pair have been doubles partners ever since. That familiarity is a great asset on the court.

“We complement each other,” Steinkamp said. “Just the fact that we know each others’ strengths and weaknesses.”

Since losing matches to Crystal Lake Central and Crystal Lake South early in the season, Rowan and Steinkamp said their game has improved. Both are looking forward to a possible rematch with either of the Crystal Lake teams at the FVC Meet on Oct 7-8.

“We had a few hard matches that we could have done a little better at,” Rowan said. “We’re starting to hit our groove.”

Jacobs coach Jon Betts said he has been pleased with how his team has played this season and is looking forward to the FVC Meet.

“We’ve been playing really well. Throughout the lineup everyone has been improving,” Betts said. “The way that we’ve been playing is looking good for the conference tournament.”

Also winning for the Golden Eagles were Rachael Buttolph at No. 3 singles, Kassy Bernardo and Autumn Hackett at No. 2 doubles, Jess Wolf and Jacquelyn Hengler at No. 3 doubles and Jen Regard and Miranda Curtis at No. 4 doubles.

Jacobs (22-2 overall, 3-1 FVC Valley) sustained its only conference loss in a 4-3 decision against South.

“We’re just hoping to play out the rest of the season and keep pace with [South],” Betts said.

Hannah Gummerson won for Prairie Ridge (5-4, 1-2), defeating Alina Zabolotico, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 1 singles.

Zabolotico is the Golden Eagles’ regular No. 2 singles player. Betts said he is hoping to have Megan Elliott, his top singles player, back from an injury soon.

Gummerson controlled the match by driving her baseline shots deep and to the corners, which resulted in winners or allowed her to get to the net.

“I feel more confident with my groundstrokes,” Gummerson said. “I’ve definitely been working on getting to the net more.”

Also winning for the Wolves was Cassie Schmit at No. 2 singles.

Prairie Ridge coach Sam Sweeney said his team has been playing well but needs to be a little more assertive, something he hopes will come from playing more.

“I definitely think that more matches will make us more sharp,” Sweeney said. “We need to get a lot more aggressive.”