Netting a fountain of youth

Lady Demons carry over 2014 momentum in early season

By Mike Ramczyk

Sports Editor

Don’t call it a rebuild, not quite yet.

That’s the sentiment of the Burlington girls varsity tennis team, at least based on their play in the first two weeks of the 2015 season.

With a 5-2 dual victory to open the Southern Lakes season Sept. 1, Burlington improved to 7-2 overall on its quest to repeat as conference champion.

As of Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Lady Demons are 10-4 overall and 3-0 in the SLC, including a hard-fought, 4-3 squeaker over Union Grove Sept. 3.

“It’s a rebuilding year,” said head coach Rose Dolatowski, now in her 27^th season. “We hope to finish well in the conference and to get players to individual state.”

Ever the modest coach, Dolatowski’s assessment may be accurate, as the Demons only boast two seniors.

However, six key letter-winners return, including former state qualifiers Lacey Londre and Hannah Cook along with reigning SLC champs Emily Crabtree (No. 4 singles) and the No. 2 doubles squad of Kate Daujotas and Whiteny Miller.

Crabtree was also a sectional champion last year.

Coming off an 18-3 season, the program has 32 girls.

However, Burlington must replace three former state participants, Lydia Crabtree, Sophia Grandi and Coral Miller.

“We have a core of experienced players to mentor the new ones,” Dolatowski said. “But our biggest weakness is depth.”

Londre, the team’s No. 1 singles star last year, has teamed up with Cook at No. 1 doubles, and the pair has opened the season strong at 6-1.

Alyssa Caliva, who played No. 2 doubles in 2014, is now the No. 2 singles occupant.

Dolatowski said senior Alexis Weber (singles), sophomores Grace Boyle and Adrianna Castillo (doubles) and freshman May Jagodzinski (singles) are all key newcomers this season.

Assistant coaches Emily Grossen, Courtney Peters and Jessica Pagel are the team’s assistant coaches.

Burlington hosts Westosha Central in its SLC home opener Thursday at 4:15 p.m. at Burlington High School.

Early-season success

Burlington placed fourth in a stacked tournament in Green Bay Saturday. The girls notched a win over Sheboygan North.

Against Union Grove, Jagodzinski and Crabtree cruised at Nos 3 and 4 singles, respectively.

At No. 2 doubles, Whitney Miller and Kate Daujotas needed three sets to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. Grace Boyle and Adrianne Castillo won their first set at 4 doubles, 6-3, but lost the next set, 2-6. In the decisive third set, the duo downed Grove’s Brittney Wargolet and Karissa Franceschina, 6-3.

Jagodzinski, Emily Crabtree, Londre/Cook, Miller/Daujotas and Castillo/Boyle all won in Wilmot.

At the Milton Sweet 16 last weekend, Burlington finished 5-1 overall, with wins over Stoughton (4-3), Big Foot (5-2), Jefferson (4-3), Kenosha Indian Trail (4-3) and Janesville Parker (7-0).