Lake Forest Girls Keep 'One' Focus in Defending State Tennis Title

's girls tennis team is focused on the number one.

“We are concentrating on one point at a time, one game at a time, one set at a time and one match at a time,” Scouts doubles player and freshmen Colleen Morris said.

While Morris’ comment may seem cliché, it could provide the Scouts their best chance to when the 40th edition opens today, Oct. 20, and continues through Saturday in Mt. Prospect. 

The Scouts are among 18 teams in the state tournament to qualify the maximum number of individuals — two playing singles and a pair of doubles teams — to compete this weekend.

Rising Above the Seedings

Lake Forest , who is also the boys head coach in the spring, knows every finish above what a player or doubles team is seeded is more team points. For example, a fifth-place finish could earn two teams points compared to an eighth-place finish, which would receive none.

“If everyone can hold their seeds, we will see the top 10,” Leighton said. “If they can do a little better, they will make the top five. After that, anything can happen.” 

Lake Forest knows about close finishes at the state tournament. A year ago, the margin of victory over runner-up Hinsdale Central was 40-36.

“The unseeded players will study the top players and be primed for the chance to play them,” Leighton said. “The seeded players just play their game.”

Lineup a Mix of Vets, Newcomers

Elizabeth Zordani and Taya Zoubareva were part of last year’s state champions and provide the veteran experience to help state tourney newcomers Morris and her sister, Megan Morris, Vicky Falk and Catherine Orfanos. 

Though Zordani and Zoubareva are state tourney veterans, Megan Morris is the only senior on the team and Zoubareva the only junior. Zordani, Falk and Orfanos are sophomores.

Murphy patiently has guided her young forces through the season and believes they are peaking at the right time. 

“The energy is so positive,” Murphy said. “Sometimes a team can get tense, but they are not that way. If they all play as well as I know they can, we’re going to surprise some people.” 

Zordani, who teamed with Haleigh McPeek last season to grab second place at state in the doubles completion as a freshman, will be playing singles this year along with Orfanos. Zordani is seeded ninth through 16th. Orfanos is not seeded. 

“I’m prepared and in good shape,” Zordani said. “With a year of experience, I know what to expect.”

With 128 players competing in the three-day event, Zordani could play as many as four matches in a day to make conditioning important. “I’ve played five in a day,” she added. 

Zoubareva returns to the doubles competition teamed with Vicky Falk. They are the highest-seeded Scouts, rated fifth through eighth. The Morris sisters are seeded ninth through 16th.

Zoubareva believes her experience will help both her and Falk. “I feel what she is going through,” Zoubareva said. “Most of this is new, and I want to support Vicky (Falk) through it.” 

All the Scouts play United States Tennis Association tournaments throughout the summer. They have faced many of the other seeded players from schools like Hinsdale Central and New Trier in the past, and know what to expect. 

“That’s why we focus on each game, set and match,” Zordani said. “Otherwise everything will be much more intense. We know what to expect.”

First Time Together in Doubles

Colleen and Megan Morris have not teamed together before as a competitive doubles team.

“We’re in different age groups,” Colleen said referring to USTA events. They look forward to the experience. 

“It’s exciting to play with my sister,” Colleen said. “She’s a great doubles partner.” 

Megan sees the value of their closeness on and off the court through the eyes of an older sister. “We know each other very well,” Megan said.

To keep track of the state tournament results, visit the Illinois High School Association results page.