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newlenoxpatriot.com SPORTS
the New Lenox Patriot | October 11, 2018 | 33
Rimkunas sisters improve bond on and off the court as doubles partners
Sisters start
postseason run at
Frankfort Sectional
on Oct. 13
Steve Millar
Freelance Reporter
When Lincoln-Way Central
junior Emma Rimkunas,
a two-time state qualifier
at singles, told coach Sue
Schneider she wanted to
switch to doubles this season,
Schneider was skeptical.
Rimkunas had a good reason
for wanting to make the
change. She wanted to team
up with her sister, Kara, a
freshman.
“Emma was very excited
to play with her sister,”
Schneider said. “They’d
been practicing over the
summer, playing in tournaments.
I wasn’t exactly sold,
though, just because Emma’s
a phenomenal singles
player.
“The more I’ve seen them
play together, I’ve realized
she’s a phenomenal doubles
player, too.”
The Rimkunas’ have been
the Knights’ No. 1 doubles
team all season, and they’ve
had plenty of success. They
had a 21-6 record as of Oct.
5.
“I really wanted to play
with Kara,” Emma said. “I
know she’s a good player
and I knew we’d work hard
in the offseason and be ready
for this year. We know how
to make up for each other’s
weaknesses and enhance
each other’s strengths.”
Schneider has seen the
pair’s on-court chemistry
develop over the course of
the season.
“When they started, it
was a little bit shaky,” she
said. “There was some of
that sibling rivalry, and they
had some squabbles. But,
the more they’ve played,
Kara Rimkunas has already made an impact on the Knights’
tennis program as a freshman.
they’ve gotten in tune with
each other.
“They’ve got a tight bond
that’s become unbreakable.”
Kara agreed that the sisters’
bond has strengthened.
“I think we work really
well together, especially
now,” Kara said. “We try
to stay positive. We’re always
giving each other high
fives. We have fun playing
together.”
Kara said she and her
sister make a good doubles
team because their games
complement each other.
“I’m better on my forehand
and she’s better on
her backhand, so that works
out,” she said.
While Emma has always
been a strong defensive
player, Kara brings more
firepower to the team.
“Kara’s the powerhouse,”
Emma said. “She hits the
big shots and I set her up.”
Schneider also sees a
chemistry in the sisters’
mental game.
“They know how each
other thinks, and that really
helps,” she said. “They balance
each other out really
well. If one gets really excited,
the other stays calm.”
For Kara, the transition to
high school tennis has been
smoother because of her sister.
“It’s made it a lot easier
having her with me the
whole time and telling me
what to do,” Kara said.
Kara has long wanted to
be a part of the Knights’
team. She spent many days
cheering on Emma the past
two seasons.
“I skipped a day of school
to see her play at state,”
Kara said. “I went to conference
meets and sectionals. I
was there for a lot of it.
“It’s weird to be actually
playing out there now after
watching so much the last
two years. Now, I’m out
there feeling the pressure
of playing in these matches,
but having her by my side
has helped so much.”
Emma said her younger
sister was met with open
arms by their Knights’
teammates
“Kara feels at home because
she was around the
team a lot the last two years
Lincoln-Way Central tennis players and sisters Kara (left) and Emma Rimkunas have been a
force as the No. 1 doubles team for the Knights this season. 22nd Century Media File Photos
Emma Rimkunas was a state qualifier at singles the last two seasons before deciding to
play with her younger sister.
and she already knew the
girls,” Emma said. “We all
welcomed her.”
With the postseason coming
up, Emma said the sisters
are hoping for a high
seed in the SouthWest Suburban
Red meet and at sectionals.
They also have their
sights set on a bigger tournament.
“Our main goal is to go
to state and maybe win a
couple matches,” Kara said.
“It’d be really exciting to
make it to the second day at
state.”
For the Rimkunas’ to accomplish
their mission,
Emma said they need to
continue to help each other.
“We’ve got to stay consistent,”
Emma said. “We can’t
get down on ourselves, and
we have to motivate each
other.”