Imagine playing tennis in a Europea...

Imagine playing tennis in a European tournament with an competitor you can't understand. That's what Glenbrook toward the south senior Sammy Levin experienced traveling to Spain, France and Switzerland as part of the Tennis Europe program this summer

"They're remarkably good," Levin said of her foreign opposites after coming home from the monthlong program. She won four of her eight matches. Not bad for a Yank.

Levin, a 5-3 right-handed singles player, has the experience of playing at the varsity on a level as a Titan since freshman year, nevertheless nothing like flying to Europe with 15 lads and girls from New York, Florida and a scarcely any from the Chicago area to be rivals overseas.

The director of her tennis sodality came to speak about the program single day, and that clinched it for Levin.

"I cogitation it sounded really cool, thus I wanted to try it out" she said.

The collection left town June 23 and answered July 21.

"We would play in 18-and-under tournaments and also in the interpret where you could end up playing a 45-year-old or a 7-year-old," Levin said.

They went to Barcelona first. Levin, who studies Spanish, had the in the greatest degree fun there and the chiefly conversation.

"I was really nervous to play my first match," Levin said. "I won -- it was a Spanish girl. We sole spoke Spanish, so it was really hard to communicate. They talk likewise fast. But in France, I didn't understand united word they said except 'bonjour.' I'm certain they [French] didn't, either."

Levin's coach, Dawn Fendt said Levin has worked upon her agility, footwork and spe across the summer and has improved, especially after the journey.

Levin saw a leash of differences immediately. Games were played upon clay courts instead of hard, and the Europeans be seened better at masking their emotions. They also began to notice a non-American- sounding tradition. If you missing your opponent would offer to bribe you something to eat or drink.

"We said [to our coach], 'Why do they withhold asking us for food?"' Levin said. "It was hard to understand. We would usually say, 'No, thank you."'

The learners traveled by train to three cities in Switzerland nearest and then to Nice, France.

Levin said the trip made her a better player.

"You improve a haphazard [from the program] skill-wise and mentally," she said. "They [Europeans] don't display any mental emotions, so I put to proof not to, either."

rsobol@suntimes.com

TOP TEAMS

1 Hinsdale Central: R Devils loaded with talent and powerful freshmen

2 Lake Forest: Mature, stout powerhouse with everyone back.

3 Deerfield: Warriors are competitive and penetrating

4 Barrington: Reliable upperclassmen, ready for anything.

5 Downers wood South: Return eight solid starters, plus puissant freshman.

6 modern Trier: Rebuilding -- lost four

all-staters.

7 Lyons: dissipated many, but Lions hang tough.

8 West Aurora: principally return with experience, maturity.

9 Highland Park: Confident, returning core Giants.

10 Stevenson: Patriots inspired, nevertheless singles champ Muresan not a lock-up to play.

TOP PLAYERS

Elizabeth declare to be untrues Sr., Benet; Julie Flanzer, Jr Highland Park; Cali Gustafson, Jr Deerfield; Katie Kargl, Jr Downers South; Brigid Larson, Sr Evanston; Sammy Levin, Sr Glenbrook South; Kelsey Linden, Jr Barrington; Morgan Logue Sr Barrington; Taylor Prodromo Sr Deerfield; Nadia Zoubareva; Sr Lake Forest.

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