Make it 3 in a row for New Trier girls tennis

On the final day of the state championships, New Trier tennis was well represented at the event’s host site, Hersey High School, on Saturday, Oct. 25.

But as singles player Julia Ludwig and doubles team Ava Katz and Lily Hermann fought in their respective third-place matches, the most consequential action was happening about four miles up the road.

There, at Buffalo Grove High School, Trevians sophomore Ingrid Fiedler was fighting off Waubonsie Valley’s Lydia Parranto — 6-2, 1-6, (10-8) — in a backdraw bout to deliver the one point her team needed to guarantee an IHSA Class 2A state championship.

New Trier (33 points) outlasted runnersup Hinsdale Central and Stevenson (both 28 points) to claim the program’s third consecutive state title, a feat the Trevians last accomplished 36 years ago (1986-’88).

“The three-peat,” New Trier coach Jerry Morse-Karzen said with a smile. “The first two we actually clinched on Friday. This one, every point really mattered. … Sometimes the harder they are, they feel more worth it.”

The result gave New Trier its 12th state championship, including one as New Trier West, and 11th state trophy in the past 15 seasons.

Ludwig, a junior, led the way for the Trevians with her third-place finish. The junior came back to win her final match 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 to finish with a lineup-best 11 team points.

Katz, a senior, and Hermann, a junior, placed fourth, winning their first four matches to gain 10 team points. The pair fell in the third-place match 7-5, 6-3 to Stevenson’s Emma Blass and Ava Sukovic.

One of this year’s team captains, Katz gave credit to New Trier’s coaching staff — which includes Donna Chudacoff, Brett Morse-Karzen, Lisa Finke and Kerry Hall — for preparing the Trevians throughout the season.

“That’s a big part of it,” Katz said. “And our team community is also a huge part. We all are supportive of each other and want the best for each other.”

Of another state title, she said: “It feels amazing. We worked really hard the whole season. We were going for it and wanted the three-peat so I’m really glad.”

Katz was a singles state qualifier a year ago, and Ludwig paired with Coco Zabel for a nice run at state last season.

This year, Morse-Karzen said it was best for the team if they switched. Ludwig and Fiedler provided a powerful 1-2 singles punch much of the Trevians’ season, and Katz’s move to doubles paid big dividends.

“She made this lineup stronger playing doubles,” Morse-Karzen said of Katz. “For a team to be successful, they all have to do what the team needs, and she did. She’s done that all year.”

Fiedler won her first three matches before falling to fourth-place finisher Lucy Stein, of Oak Park-River Forest, in the quarterfinals. She then earned two backdraw victories and finished sixth for the second straight season.

Morse-Karzen said Fiedler has succeeded ever since becoming a Trevian.

“She has been so solid,” he said. “Competing wise, she has a real good game. She doesn’t miss many balls. It doesn’t matter what level of player she’s playing, she seems to handle it. She’s a tough out.”

Trevians freshman Olivia Orlando and junior Annabel Kim won their first two matches to gain four team points before losing two long matches to end their weekend.

Jerry Morse-Karzen said Orlando and Kim’s big important run began in the sectional, where they finished second to earn a seed at state and a better draw.

Going into state, he said five elite teams — all of which advanced a full lineup — had a shot at the team title. New Trier needed contributions from everyone.

“I knew we were capable of winning state team title, but there were four other teams that were also capable, I felt,” Morse-Karzen said. “… I thought, ‘This is wide open.’ Who’s going to play well at state? That’s what it boils down to. You play well, get some points here and there, and someone makes a run.”

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