Undefeated Deerfield ace Casati ready for State

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Mindy Borovsky of the Warriors reaches with her backhand during singles actions in Saturday's sectional. She took runner-up honors. | Joe Shuman~For Sun-Times Media

Updated: November 21, 2011 9:45AM

Optimism is swirling around Alexis Casati as she prepares for the IHSA state tennis tournament.

The Deerfield High School junior carries a 19-0 record to the ultimate test. Casati, who hasn’t dropped a set all season, was rewarded with a 3-4 seed for State.

“Alexis is feeling real good about her game,” said Warriors coach Rich Koukol, who’s sending three entries to State. “She believes there is no one who can beat her.”

Casati’s confidence level is rooted in a powerful forehand.

“Her forehand is so big right now,” Koukol said. “It’s hard for other players to prevent her from hitting that shot. When she gets on a roll, she’s not missing too often.”

In addition, Casati relishes her status as an elite player.

“She’s a much more dedicated and determined player this year,” Koukol noted. “She’s one of the upper-echelon players in the state, and she’s playing like it right now.”

Casati breezed through last week’s Stevenson Sectional. She dropped only three games in eight sets, finishing the job with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over teammate Mindy Borovsky.

If Casati hopes to reach the top, she could run into players like Wheaton-Warrenville South sophomore Kendra Clousing (No. 1 seed), Morgan Park Academy junior Jerrica Boone (No. 2) and Lyons Township sophomore Alex Chatt (3-4).

Moving up: Borovsky was slotted into the 17-32 bracket after a solid sectional. Koukol heaped praise on the Warriors junior.

“If there is anyone peaking at the right time, it’s definitely Mindy,” Koukol said. “She battled an Achilles injury that hampered her for a good portion of the season.”

The turning point occurred against Glenbrook North’s Elizabeth Sak in the CSL North final two weeks ago.

“Mindy had already played two matches, and then she had a three-setter (vs. Sak),” Koukol related. “She battled hard and won the match 6-1, 5-7, 6-1. She had to fight through a lot of fatigue.”

When the match ended, Borovsky knew that Casati had recovered.

“That match gave her a lot of confidence that not only was she over the injury, but she could beat someone in a long match,” the coach said.

Her mental toughness showed up again in sectionals, when Borovsky edged Stevenson freshman Zoe Manion 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 in a semifinal showdown.

Koukol noted Borovsky was unsure if she would grab a 17-32 seed.

“But I knew she was good enough to get that seed,” the coach said.

Doubles talk: Deerfield finished second in the sectional with 28 points; Stevenson won the title with 31. The Warriors also qualified the doubles team of Jenna Borzak and Jorie Fox finished fourth.

Borzak and Fox planned on finishing higher in sectionals, but an injury to Borzak forced the duo to default in the semifinal round.

Koukol believes the pair could surprise some people at State.

“They know they are better than a 9-16 seed,” Koukol said. “I’m confident they will be up there.”

The veteran doubles team has all the shots.

“They are being very aggressive, and they are peaking at the right time,” Koukol said. “They know what each other is doing, and their instincts on the doubles court are good.”

The state tournament begins today and runs through Saturday, with the final rounds being held at Prospect High School.