State meet highlighted by area talent

IOWA CITY - State tournaments showcase the best players in that respective sport.

When more than one-third of the competitors come from the Cedar Rapids/Marion Metro and Iowa City, it reflects well on the local talent.

Eleven of the 32 players in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Class 2A state singles and doubles meet, beginning Thursday at the University of Iowa Tennis Center, compete for Metro or Iowa City programs. First round is set for 10 a.m.

Traditional powers Iowa City West and Cedar Rapids Kennedy are at the forefront as well as Cedar Rapids Washington. Each earned three berths to state with Linn-Mar and Cedar Rapids Xavier both qualifying a doubles team. All but one of 12 possible state berths went to Metro and Iowa City teams at regionals with more than one team in the field.

"The Metro and Iowa City was very tough," Kennedy Coach Joe Benedict said. "Our conference clearly showed that if you looked at the teams that are in the state tournament."

Benedict says it benefits them in the postseason and helps motivate them in the offseason to keep up with other area standouts. Playing some of their toughest matches against quality opponents during the Mississippi Valley Conference's regular season prepares them for the high level of play at state.

"Once you get to state you figure you've probably seen people who are as good, at the very least, as anybody you're going to play at state," Benedict said. "It helps kids get some confidence, knowing they've played against people like that before."

The players and programs at the varsity level are competitive, but that might be an extension of solid foundations in the local community. Strong feeder systems contribute to high school success.

"It says a lot for the youth tennis in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area," said West Coach Kay DiLeo, who said many players begin playing competitively around age 10 and dedicate a lot of time to the sport. "The programs offered in both areas are outstanding. They've got quality people teaching tennis and getting younger kids enthused about playing tennis."

DiLeo has reaped the awards, including a state champion doubles team and runner-up in the team tennis competition in 2010. West's top-seeded senior duo of Lola White-Baer and Lilli Oetting return to defend that doubles title from a year ago. Their teammates Olivia Lofgren and Addy Riley will compete in singles after finishing 1-2 at the regional meet.

Expectations are high and they are trying to avoid any type of pressure. The target, however, is fixed on their backs.

"They obviously know they're the team to beat," DiLeo said. "I'd rather them have confidence with that rather than pressure.

"With another year of maturity and the success they had last year, I think they are very confident now."

Lofgren, a junior, and Riley, a sophomore, are making their individual state tournament debut. They have experienced it from the bleachers and have been a part of West teams in the state team competition. They won't be happy with just being in the field.

"It's an exciting time for them," DiLeo said. "They really have nothing to lose because neither one of them are seeded."

Kennedy's Jackie Pedersen and Sarah Lasecki return to the state. Pedersen is the third-seed in the singles field, while Lasecki teamed with Kali Hildebrand to qualify in doubles. It's Pedersen's third appearance at state, placing fifth last season.

"It's an honor she's earned, but we all know from past years, success and falling short, the seed doesn't mean a lot," Benedict said. "I think she'll be able to play well. Obviously, there are a lot of other people who believe the same thing but if we can avoid any state tournament jitters I think she'll be fine."

Even though she's solo this time around that experience should still work in her favor. She is familiar with the atmosphere and the tension that accompanies state.

"You know what it's like down there," Benedict said. "You understand the pressure of why you need to keep winning and stay in that winners bracket.

"Everybody's going to be a tough match. You can't take anybody for granted."

The Cougars are looking for a repeat feat from 2010 in doubles. Lasecki teamed with Christina Goeddel to go from unseeded to a third-place performance. Lasecki and Hildebrand are unseeded with sights set on a medal.

"They're playing really well together and we'll see how they can do," Benedict said. "If they can get on a little bit of a roll and gain some confidence ... they're a pretty solid doubles team."

The Warriors Katie Hammond placed seventh last year in singles and is in the 16-player field again. She is joined by teammate Rina Moore in singles and Washington's fourth-seeded doubles team of Kristin King and Olivia Brooks.

Xavier's Lisa Cowden and Laura Birky and Linn-Mar's Katie Rakers and Jenna Myers earned spot in the state doubles tournament. Cowden is making her third state doubles appearance, placing seventh last year and eighth in 2009.