NCW3.5 Champions- Midtown-Palatine

Last year Midtown-Palatine was in first place and had a significant lead in the standings only to lose in the semis against Lincolnshire by a set. This year Midtown-Palatine had a significant lead in the standings and won in the semis against Libertyville and won in the finals against College Park. In both cases, MTP won decisively 5-1. Midtown-Palatine has a “deep” team with 25 eligible players for the playoffs. This allowed them some flexibility on who to play and kept the other teams guessing. College Park East came into the playoffs in 3rd place and pulled a one set win over Midtown-Chicago in the semis to get to the Finals. CPAC-E’s top court team, Nikki Krakowski and Tiffany Simanek, did not disappoint and kept their winning record intact beating MTP’s Erica Donofrio and Megan Elwell. Court 1 was CPAC’s only win. On courts 2-6 MTP won all but one court in 2 sets. MTP’s Davida Kozlowski and Beth Zawlenski played CPAC-s Stephanie Cohen and Heather Curtis. On court 3, MTP’s Alaina Murawski and Amanda Patten played CPAC’s Rita Manka and Kim Walder. On court 4, MTP’s Sally Fessenden and Bev Vacval played against CPAC’s Karen Borgerding and Susan Chaplik. On court 5, MTP’s Elizabeth Jimenez and Wendy Farley see-sawed a win against CPAC’s Angelee Boyd and Anne Douglas in a 3 set match. And on court 6, MTP’s Kim Lee and Lara Berry played against CPAC’s Julie Mangione and Andrea McArdle. Pictured from left to right: Lara Berry, Gina Quatrochi, Kim Lee, Amanda Patten, Karen Johnstone, Alaina Murawski (captain), Beth Zawilenski, Liz Jimenez, Coach Todd Johnson, Bev Vacval, Sally Fessenden, Wendy Farley, Kelly Thut, Megan Elwell, Erica Donofrio. Not pictured: Holly Belconis, Cynthia DeStefano, Joanne Elliott, Susie Kilayko, Bonnie Kipperman, Davida Kozlowski, Lisa Nora, Allyn Selesky, Stacy Simpson-Logan, Kitty Skor, Alicia Tisbo, Jessica Trzop