Jiung Jung looking to propel Iowa City West boys’ tennis team back to the top

IOWA CITY – While both insist there are flaws in the tennis game of Jiung Jung, don't expect the Iowa City West junior nor his coach to reveal what they are.

After all, there are a host of coaches and players across the state anxious to learn how to dethrone the returning Class 2A singles state champion.

'He's constantly working at improving his weaknesses,' West Coach Mitch Gross said. 'He's a very cognizant, aware player of what he needs to do to get better. … He doesn't just practice his strengths, he really works on improving his weaknesses.'

Jung will begin his second season atop the lineup when West opens Saturday with a quadrangular at West Des Moines Dowling. After an undefeated debut at No. 1 singles with a state championship, Jung embraces the opportunity to face opponents who have circled his name as the player to beat from the outset.

'There's a lot of pressure with that and obviously a lot of responsibility,' Jung said. 'I'm sure everyone else has been working really hard, really well, too. … The experience definitely helps, but at the same time with having that experience, I know it's going to be really tough.'

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Jung headlines what should be another stellar season overall for the West boys' tennis team. The Trojans had their three-year string of state championships halted last season with a runner-up finish to Linn-Mar in what was thought to be a rebuilding year.

Junior Cole Schneider – who lost just once in singles last season – moves up to second in the lineup and has added an improved backhand shot to his developing repertoire.

'We're trying to develop multi-dimensional players,' Gross said. 'So when your strength isn't there you have other shots to go to. I'm a big believer that the more shots you have to go to, the better player you are.'

If the Trojans return to the state title match for a sixth-consecutive season, they'll need victorious efforts from the middle and bottom of their lineup. Eight players are competing for the final four spots, including a pair of highly-touted freshmen – Sam Shin and Jack Wenzel.

'Sometimes I think it's hard for freshmen to kind of break in from a chemistry standpoint,' Gross said. 'They were hard-working in the offseason, were great at conditioning this winter, so they fit in really well and their tennis has been solid as well.'

Senior Ryan Smith – who qualified for state doubles last season with Schneider – will compete for a lineup spot along with fellow returners Quinn Dawson, Brad DiLeo and Yair Abramoff.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com