THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008
Prospect Seniors Won't Back Down From Tough Sectional
Prospect boys tennis is in for a battle this weekend as the Knights compete in one of the most difficult sectionals around.
But that doesn't meant they're going down without a fight.
The Knights have been one of the top teams in the area all year but are facing other top talents this weekend. Prospect will take part in the Stevenson sectional Saturday, which unfortunately, does include Stevenson. The Patriots have been nearly unstoppable and should be well represented in the state tournament.
That also doesn't include Fremd, who Prospect tied with in last week's MSL conference meet, and Buffalo Grove, who was close behind them both.
Coach Rick Huffman has seen his players step up before and knows they will not make it easy on their opponents.
That specifically includes first singles star Tom Kujawa, who looks to finish a remarkable career at Prospect on the right note.
"He's going to fight for every inch," Huffman said. "He thinks if he plays up to his game, he can still qualify."
Kujawa's battling mentality was evident last weekend when he fought his way to the conference championship game despite being sick and on medication for strep throat. Huffman said he could see Kujawa running out of gas but the senior simply wouldn't give in.
The same goes for first doubles team Zach Adamovic and Jon Kiefer, who also feel that state is within reach.
Huffman said his players' chances at state could come down to luck as the bracket has a lot to do with it. An early match up with Stevenson could be bad news but if they can avoid a top opponent early, anything is possible.
Other local teams in that Stevenson sectional are Hersey and St. Viator. Andrew Rice won the ESCC first singles title for Viator and should make a deep run here as he's already state-tested.