Thirty five years of accomplishments at the state girls tennis meet were eclipsed in three days by Hinsdale Central.

En route to their second straight team championship and 10th in program history, the Red Devils set a new state record with 50 points — and in the process posted the largest winning margin in tournament history by easily outdistancing runner-up Downers Grove South (28).

“I think it really speaks to the depth of this team,” Hinsdale Central coach Jerilyn Scardina said, “how strong we are to have everyone still playing (Saturday) and three of the four in the main draw (the semifinals or better).”

Sophomores Courtney Dolehide and Nida Hamilton completely dominated the doubles bracket for the second year in a row, improving their career record to 65-0 with a 6-1, 6-2 rout of Barrington’s Kelsey Linden and Kristy Dodge in the title match.

As freshmen, Dolehide and Hamilton had to battle to win sets by 7-6 scores in two of their last three matches (including a 7-6, 6-4 finals win), but cruised this fall in losing just 13 games during their seven matches.

“Last year we were up 4-1 (in the finals) and let them come back in both sets,” Hamilton said. “This year at 4-1 we really tried to stay focused and we pulled through.
 

“We’re a lot more aggressive at the net (this year),” Dolehide said, “and a lot more comfortable being at the net, with our overheads and switching.

“It’s pretty much the same (as last year) because our team was there cheering us on just as much. That’s what makes it the most fun, to have that many people supporting you.”

Dolehide and Hamilton had been taken to three sets just once this year — by Linden and Dodge at the Downers Grove South tournament. But that part of history would not repeat.

“It’s pretty tough to get a point off them,” Linden said. “They mix it up so well. They’re both really good players who play really well together. They’re just a great team, great competitors.”

Even one of the few points the Red Devils’ tandem lost was amazing, when Hamilton made a behind-the-back return of a seemingly unreachable Barrington shot.

“Nida can hit anything back,” Dodge said. “She’s just a wall.”

“I didn’t mind that we lost that point,” Hamilton said of her memorable return. “It was worth it. In practice I’ve done that (shot) for fun, but never in a match before.”

Dolehide and Hamilton recently earned the No. 1 national ranking in doubles in their age group, and have just begun to reach their potential.

“They were outstanding, nationally ranked singles players and they used a lot of those skills last year,” Hinsdale Central assistant coach Robin Kramer said. “This year they’re incorporating that into the science of doubles, and when you have that much talent to begin with, it makes them obviously the best team in the state two years running. And they’re still getting better.

“From a technical standpoint you have Courtney who’s a power player, and her serve motion could be in a textbook on how to serve. And then you have Nida, who’s a glider. She’s like a female version of Roger Federer. She’s a smooth player, is so graceful and has hands that are unbelievable. You can’t get it past her. When you have two players with that ability playing doubles, it’s scary.”

Even scarier for opponents is the potential of Dolehide and Hamilton playing two more high school seasons together.

“One match at a time,” Dolehide said, “but I don’t see how we couldn’t (win four straight) if we continue to play our best and work well together. It’s not over. We’re still on the uphill and we haven’t reached our summit yet.”

Emily Lombardi and Alex Tapak also made quite a long climb this season, placing fourth in the state in doubles with five straight wins to open state play. They rallied to post a huge 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win over Deerfield in the quarterfinals before dropping their final two matches (the last a 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 win by Lyons Township’s Elise Woulfe and Tina Harazin for third place).

“We had lost to them twice during the season,” Harazin said. “We made a plan to be more the aggressor, because they’re the kind of team that gets every ball back.” 

In singles, Hinsdale Central sophomore standout Hanna Mar took another step towards winning a title this fall.

Third at state last season, Mar reached the finals Saturday with an undefeated 2007 record before Francis Parker’s Elizabeth Epstein won 6-2, 6-3.

“I’m sure right now she (Mar) is disappointed,” Scardina said, “but our goal going into this week was that everyone would improve or equal their performance, and they all did.”

Kate Klein also excelled in singles with a 5-2 record at state, falling in the consolation quarterfinals.

“Kate finished ninth, Courtney and Nida of course equalled last year,” Scardina said. “Everyone improved.”

And in the process they produced a record-setting season that might be tough to top — except for the fact that Lombardi was the lone senior in the Red Devils’ state lineup.

“It shows how good of a team we have and the depth in our lineup,” Hamilton said.

The title came almost 30 years to the day of Scardina’s first championship as Hinsdale Central’s coach.

“When I started we had some really strong teams, but it’s hard to compare,” Scardina said. “What’s nice about these girls is that it’s been so easy with them. They all get along, are very coachable and support each other. They’ll play wherever they’re asked to play.

“It’s really been an easy group, and they’re so talented. Even the supporting group we have here are such great kids.”

The Red Devils’ large and vocal group of fans added to a historic weekend.

“Our whole team was there cheering us on, and that’s what makes it the most fun,” Dolehide said. “Just knowing you have so many people supporting you.”