Soccer icon Pele said, “Trust that your preparation has you ready to compete during big challenges and the more difficult the victory, the greater the celebration.”

That was the quote the girls were read before taking the court Monday as they hosted Valparaiso in a big conference match-up.

The Trojans’ depth & experience prevailed Monday as they defeated a talented Valparaiso team 5-0.  With the win, Chesterton improves to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in conference play.

Chesterton’s doubles teams grabbed the headlines Monday as each position won in straight sets and gave the Trojans an early 2-0 lead in the team match.

At the #1 doubles spot, Aubrey Isakson & Ava Komp won their first set 6-0 and withstood a late run from Valpo in the second set to go on to win that 6-3.  Isakson & Komp are now 5-2 at the top doubles spot and are currently riding a 4-match win streak.

“Isakson & Komp have been playing great doubles and it’s great to see them play with such confidence,” said coach Tom Bour. “Watching them get out to a lead early and overcome a couple of bad games in the second set was impressive.  Their experience showed when they closed out that final set after Valpo made a run.“

Following up the #1 team, was the #2 team of Rina Hector & Aleksa Sorgic who won 6-1, 6-2.   It was Hector & Sorgic’s first match together and the Senior/Freshmen combo came up big for Chesterton.

Seniors Milena Veltri and Leah Rochford were both tested Monday, but the co-captains were able to fight off a couple of great opponents to each grab win.  Veltri’s 6-2, 6-0 win at #1 puts her at 6-2 overall and 3-0 in the DAC.   At #2, Rochford played well over 2-hours but prevailed by a score of 6-4, 6-0.  Rochford remains unbeaten at 8-0 and 3-0 in DAC play.

The longest match of the night lasted well into the night.  Junior Gretta Burke had to fight from behind in each set, but the Trojans #3 would outlast her opponent under the lights by a score of 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.  Burke’s victory took over 3-hours, but it capped off a 5-0 sweep for Chesterton which made the long night much sweeter for the home team.

“After dropping the first set 1-6, we thought Gretta did a great job of adjusting her game and forcing her opponent to earn everything.   In the end, that was the difference.  She was able to change her game and her opponent didn’t change at all.  Gretta has played some long, close matches this season.  Let’s hope she rides this confidence all the way through the post-season.”

Chesterton’s depth might have been highlighted in the varsity match, but it definitely showed its face in the JV match.

The Trojans defeated Valpo 7-2 and are now 5-0 overall and 3-0 in DAC play.   The win comes without two of its most experienced players as Juniors Theresa Connors & Saanya Agarwal were not available. Connors & Agarwal normally play #2 & #3 singles, but Connors was out sick and Agarwal has what looks to be a season-ending ankle injury.

Sophomore Ellery Denny played the top-singles spot Monday and came away with a 3-4, 4-3, 4-0 win and completing the singles sweep was Regan Krachinski (#2) and Anisa Faroh (#3) who both won in straight sets.

The #1 doubles team of Ella Girzadas & Sophie Hamilton made quick work of their opponents winning 4-1, 4-1 and by the same score the #2 team of Lauren Pilarski & Maizy Swanson also won.  At #3 doubles, Katie Krygoske & Lilliana Sensibaugh won 4-2, 4-1 to give Chesterton wins in the first 6 matches.

Valparaiso got its wins from #4 & #5 doubles.   The #4 team of Elena Clark & Isabella Carney fell 2-4, 0-4 and at #5 Caroline Carrillo & Gabby Pappas dropped their match 1-4, 0-4.   The team’s 7th point came from Bella Kelly & Anisa Faroh who teamed up and won a great match at # 6 by a score of 4-3 (9-7), 4-3(7-1).

“Our JV is a showcase of our depth.  A lot of our girls will earn a letter for this team, but a lot of them would also be full-time varsity players on several teams,” said Bour.  “Denny already has several varsity matches under her belt and Girzadas & Hamilton push our doubles teams all day in practice.  The competition within our team is a great thing to have.“

Chesterton will host Portage Tuesday as they look to grab their 4th DAC win.