Prairie girls’ tennis gets their MVC title

CEDAR RAPIDS – Before the girls' tennis season, a Mississippi Valley Conference title was atop the list of goals for Cedar Rapids Prairie Coach Scott Leggat.

After a sweep of Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 9-0, Tuesday at the Kennedy courts, his undefeated Prairie Hawks have obliged him with an outright MVC Mississippi title for the first time in his 14 years.

'It's very satisfying,' Leggat said. 'Especially for the girls because they're the ones who have put all the time in in the offseason. Worked really hard for it. They set their sights on it probably two years ago and they worked really hard to get here. I've got to attribute it to all of them.'

Magui Caro has been there for every step of the program's maturation – from a six-win team her freshman season through last year's team state tournament qualifier. Now a senior, Caro can celebrate a conference crown.

'This year, we're at the top of our game,' Caro said. 'During the offseason, we put in a lot of work and it's been paying off throughout the season.'

Caro represents the calming leadership influence for Prairie (12-0, 12-0 MVC), while younger sister Vale Caro lights the competitive fire at No. 1 singles.

The sisters plan to take full advantage of Magui's final season of prep tennis by vying for a berth in the individual state tournament as a doubles tandem, where they are undefeated in the first season of lefty Magui playing the deuce court, or right, side and the junior Vale on the ad court side.

'It's been awesome, getting to play doubles with her and just being on the court with her is a lot of fun,' Magui Caro said. 'We just go out and have fun mostly. … We know how each other plays now, so we just go out and do our thing.'

Karleigh Schilling, Anna Postnikov, Lauren O'Brian and Madie Renner were also double winners Tuesday for Prairie, which opens the Class 2A regional team tennis tournament Saturday at 9 a.m. against Waterloo East. Win there, and they'll host Kennedy May 21 for a berth in the regional final.

'I think they're excited and ready to get after it,' Leggat said. 'We know we've got to come out and play. It's not going to be handed to us. They know that. … They've been focused all year and I think they'll be ready to go when that rolls around.'

AT C.R. KENNEDY

C.R. Prairie 9, C.R. Kennedy 0

Singles —

Vale Caro def. Shelby Cook, 10-0; Magui Caro def. Veena Venkatesh, 10-1; Karleigh Schilling def. Gabby Olejniczak, 10-0; Anna Postnikov def. Lauren Gifford, 10-2; Lauren O'Brian def. Lily Gust, 10-3; Madie Renner def Reya Sands, 10-3.

Doubles —

V. Caro / M. Caro def. Cook / Venkatesh, 10-1; Olejniczak / Gifford def. Schilling / Postnikov, 10-0; O'Brian / Renner def. Gust / Sydney Powers, 10-1.

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