Xavier, West ready to start state tennis march

CEDAR RAPIDS — Both teams have been tested. Both are ready.

The state's top-ranked girls’ tennis teams — Iowa City West in Class 2A and Cedar Rapids Xavier in 1A — have one more thing in common as the postseason begins on Saturday with team regional competition — appreciation for the opportunity to play.

"We are just excited to have been able to play a season this year," said Xavier Coach Matt Foxhoven. "It’s been challenging at times and we have asked a lot of the girls, but they have responded well and are excited for postseason play to start."

For West, the season has been even more of a bonding experience than usual.

"All of our players on the team are 100 percent online learning," said Trojans Coach Amie Villarini. "Coming to tennis practice and matches is their social outlet and escape from the home.

"COVID has definitely given us all a different perspective on life. We are expressing a lot of gratitude for the things we have."

Both teams have taken advantage of the opportunities this season. West is 15-0 in duals while Xavier is 12-2, the only losses coming to West and Class 2A No. 2 Cedar Falls. West's closest match was its opener, a 5-4 win over Cedar Falls in what could have been a preview of the state title meet next month.

Xavier begins defense of the 1A team title it won 2019, hosting a first-round match against Marion at 9 a.m. The winner of that match will play the winner of the Camanche-DeWitt Central match, at 1 p.m. at Xavier.

Team play for West begins May 22 when the Trojans meet the winner of Saturday's Muscatine-Iowa City High match-up.

The singles and doubles regional tournament is set for next Wednesday. Xavier will serve as a 1A host site while West will be in the North Scott 2A regional. All play begins at 9 a.m.

"I think the girls have done a good job so far answering the call," Foxhoven said. "We do have the target on our backs though, so it is a completely different feeling entering the postseason this year."

In 2019, Miyako Coffey combined with Emily Jasper to win the 1A state doubles title. This year, Coffey (11-3) will enter the singles draw. Courtney Carstensen and Ally Burger will be Xavier's No. 1 doubles team.

"I had a good idea entering the season what we were going to do for individual districts, but I still wanted to discuss it with the girls," Foxhoven said. "(Miyako) is excited for the challenge."

Villarini also has made her choices as far as deploying her players, but is waiting until the day of the meet to declare them publicly.

"We reveal those at the coaches meeting on the morning of regionals," she said. "I'm feeling really good about our team. We are having a lot of fun and playing well and feel we are much improved from the beginning of the season."

Sophomore Ella DeYoung (13-0) has played No. 1 much of the year for West. Julianna Mascardo (12-2) has played the majority of her matches at No. 2.

West's players will be facing many unfamiliar opponents at North Scott, a fact that doesn't have Villarini overly concerned.

"We prepare as we always do in practice," she said. "We've seen a lot of players and styles in our conference and I feel that alone has given us enough experience to be ready for any player in the (Mississippi Athletic Conference)."