Caroline Starck only participated in the Dominican Cup for the event's first two years, but the Walworth Big Foot senior has fond memories of the two-day soccer-style friendly girls prep tennis tournament.

The pizza parties, the games and the new friendships — traditional and digital (via Facebook).

Oh, and the winning. That usually helps, too.

Starck won the No. 1 singles title Saturday afternoon at Quann Tennis Complex in straight sets 6-3, 6-0 over Mounds View (Minn.) freshman Melanie Yates.

Starck understandably was disappointed 2008 would be her last go.

"I love this tournament, it's a lot of fun," said Starck, who is the two-time defending WIAA Division 2 champion at No. 1 singles. "I wish I wasn't a senior because I want to come back next year."

Starck went down 3-0 to Yates, but went on a tear to claim the championship.

Top prep programs from Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois were represented, but when Yates and Starck took the court for their final match, it was clear they were in a league of their own.

"I think I was used to having a big stroke and really had to shorten (it) because I didn't have as much time to react," Starck said of her adjustment from earlier competition to Yates, one of the top-ranked singles players in Minnesota. "That might have been it too — just getting used to her pace."

Edina (Minn.) won the team title with 47 points and successfully defended their 2007 Dominican Cup title by winning championships in six of the seven finals.

Big Foot-Williams Bay finished third with 25 points, adding a second-place finish at No. 2 singles by junior Julie Kolnik and consolation championships by its No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams.

The Crusaders' Courtney Halbach said the tournament told her and fellow senior co-captain Laura Phelan a lot about this year's team.

"The tournament itself was a great learning experience," said Halbach, who lost the No. 1 singles consolation championship in a tiebreaker. "We got to meet a lot of very nice, genuine people. So, I think it was an eye-opener for our team — where we're at for this season (and) where we need to go."

But the weekend wasn't all business.

"I heard the hotel was banging fun," Halbach said. "(And) about that pizza party, it was really good. Lots of pizza."