Lasecki hopes for another postseason run

CEDAR RAPIDS - Sarah Lasecki did not imagine such a good ending to her first varsity tennis season.

Last year, the Cedar Rapids Kennedy girls tennis player capped her freshman campaign by teaming with former teammate Christina Goeddel to place third at the Class 2A state doubles tournament.

The unexpected turns slightly towards the expected when Lasecki and her teammates begin postseason play Thursday at North Scott High School in Eldridge, starting at 9 a.m. Regional meets for singles and doubles competition for both 1A and 2A start today with the top two in each advancing to the Iowa High School Athletic Union's state meets June 2-3.

"Last year, I was a freshman, honestly I didn't expect to get as far as I did, which I was happy with it," Lasecki said. "Now, knowing I can get that far, it makes me feel I can get that far and possibly go farther."

Lasecki was one of two starters from last year's team that advanced five players to singles and doubles state and reached team state for the eighth time in 11 seasons. Kennedy Coach Joe Benedict Lasecki and Jackie Pedersen, who teamed with Trisha Hinke to place fifth at the state doubles meet a year ago, have been solid No. 1 and No. 2 players.

"They've both played very well for us," he said. "They've been everything we hoped they would be at the top of our order and given us some time to get some depth."

The duo won't be paired together for the postseason. Pedersen will play singles. Lasecki played almost the entire season with Pedersen, but expects to team with Kali Hildebrand in doubles. She likes the decision.

"I prefer doubles over singles," Lasecki said. "I told (Benedict) I wanted to play doubles. He could have put me in singles but because of the results last year he put me in doubles, which I like a lot."

It is similar to last season when her and Goeddel weren't paired up until the final meet of the regular season.

"My partner, Kali, kind of plays like my partner last year," Lasecki said. "We've been playing together lately and playing pretty well so I think we have a pretty good chance of making it to state."

Steady play while sticking to the game plan and surpassing expectations are key to postseason success. It contributed to last year's state meet run blemished by a semifinal loss to the eventual state champions - Lilli Oetting and Lola-White Baer of Iowa City West.

"It's all going to come down to how consistent can we be," said Benedict, noting that momentum can play a role. "Last year, Christina and Sarah got hot as partners at the right time so we're kind of counting on that to happen again."

The performance from last year has benefited the Cougars, who suffered a lot of turnover this season due to graduation. It has provided confidence for Lasecki and the players stepping in to the varsity lineup.

"The success she had last year served as  motivation," Benedict said. "Not only that, it's been a motivating thing for her teammates as well. ... They can look at the success that Sarah had with Christina and use that to help them get ready."

Lasecki isn't preparing for state just yet. You won't catch her fixed on anything but the next task at hand, and that's earning the right to advance.

"I don't want to look too far ahead," Lasecki said. "I want to focus on what's coming up. On Thursday, we have to get passed the teams there to get to state.

"If we get past that then we'll move on."