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Big Foot/Williams Bay's Kolnik still playing at state

MADISON — Julie Kolnik of Big Foot/Williams Bay will be aiming for a top-five finish in Division 2 singles of the WIAA girls individual state tennis meet here today at the Nielsen Stadium.

Kolnik (22-13) will face Daley Rupar (21-9) of Wausau Newman at 8:30 this morning. The winner advances to the fifth-place match. Kolnik has won two of three matches at state.

On Friday, Kolnik notched her second straight victory, defeating Samantha Pallini of Notre Dame, 6-1, 6-3, but lost to No. 4 seed Saira Khanna of Milwaukee University School, 7-5, 6-0. Kolnik opened the first set with a 5-2 lead, but Khanna recovered.

“There is a reason Khanna is the No. 4 seed,” Big Foot/Williams Bay coach Jim Karedes said. “Saira took her level of play up a few notches.’’

After losing the first-set lead, Kolnik said she couldn’t regain the momentum in the second set.

“I played OK,” said Kolnik, who finished in the top 16 last season. “In the second set, I couldn’t get back into it.’’

Despite her loss, Karedes said Kolnik has played well in her second appearance at state.

“Julie’s had a great tourney,” Karedes said. “She has been hitting the ball well, and that’s been helped with a year of experience.’’

Marie Stettler of Edgerton lost to Maria Koval of Notre Dame, 6-1, 6-1 in the second round of Division 2 singles. Stettler finished the season at 19-6.