Morris No. 1 singles player Sam Bennett was one win away. Both he and doubles partner Joel McVey got right to the cusp, only to be denied participation in the IHSA State Tennis Meet last spring.
While McVey has since graduated, Bennett is hoping that his senior year will be the year he finally breaks through.
"We didn't play our best at the (Plainfield Central) Sectional, which is why we didn't make it," Bennett said. "But I reminded myself after that that I really wanted to go to state this year. It's been my goal all along since my freshman year."
While much of the focus on Bennett's performance has surrounded his chances to qualify for state, one thing that has flown under the radar coming into the season are his chances at the conference tournament. Should he make the cut at the Northern Illinois Big 12 Tournament in Sterling on Friday and Saturday and be honored as an All-League player, it will mark the fourth year in a row he has done such a thing.
He's done it in three conference's, too.
"He's already won two in the Southwest Prairie and one in the NCIC," Morris coach Jon Lanning said. "He played doubles his freshman year and then won in singles both his sophomore and junior years."
Lanning thinks that the Bennett's three losses in the NIB 12 this year are not insurmountable for him to finish in the top three and be considered All-League.
"The kid from DeKalb (Matt Kulma) is tough, and Sam lost to the Ottawa kid but didn't play his best that day," Lanning said. "And the Yorkville kid was another one he should have beaten but lost to. No matter what, though, he is for sure one of the top four singles players in the conference."
Bennett's practice partner Seth Thomas thinks Sam is ready for the four-peat.
"He's playing good. Of all the kids in conference, he is probably the most consistent right now," Thomas said. "His ground strokes are so good. He's at the top of his game and that's a good thing for him."
Having a week of warm weather and dry courts is important for good tennis right now, according to Lanning.
"The thing is, the kids can go out and do their drills and then actually work on things that happens to them in meets," he said. "It's nice to get a full week of practice - for the kids to get out and work on the things that have gone wrong for them."
As far as Bennett is concerned, the most important thing is his serve right now, though Lanning added other important aspects to his game.
"My serves are the most important thing," Bennett said. "I always have something to work on."
"He needs to hit his shots and to make the other guy run and to get to the net," Lanning added. "Those are the big things."
The final thing that will play an important role in Bennett's success this weekend is his mental approach to league play.
"I don't see any reason Sam won't be in the finals," Thomas said. "If he stays even-keeled this weekend, he'll be fine."
"I'm not too worried about it, as long as I don't get too hyped up," Bennett said. "I have to remember that it's just a game and I don't want to psyche myself out."
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