Wahle shines as Warriors' leader

Keile Wahle's role has changed in the four years of playing tennis for Cedar Rapids Washington's girls team.

Essentially, she's evolved from a timid youngster following the upperclassmen to leader as the Warriors' top player.

Wahle has been the constant in Washington's lineup since her first high school year,  cracking a senior-laden lineup then and now is the Warriors' lone senior heading into the postseason. The Warriors will compete in an Iowa Girls High School  Athletic Union Class 2A at Clinton against the River Queens, Dubuque Hempstead, Dubuque Senior, North Scott and Pleasant Valley.

"When I was a freshman I was definitely scared. I had an older sister playing above me and I was kind of the quiet one," said Wahle, whose older sister, Erin, also played for the Warriors. "Now, it's like I have to take over the leadership role. I like it better than being a freshman."

The lessons learned as a freshman have impacted her today. The seniors she played with provided an example that she molds her approach after when dealing with her current teammates.

"Four years of varsity helps because if they get in situations I've been in I'm able to help them work through it," Wahle said. "When I was a freshman, I had tons of seniors helping me out."

Wahle has adapted her leadership tactics. She has changed from letting her actions speak for her to merging her advice and her performance.

"I would say more by example," Wahle said of her leadership style. "This year, having a younger team, I feel like I've become more vocal."

Wahle has been a huge asset to the Warriors and their coach Dan Reyner, who noted that she played as the No. 2 single as a sophomore and earned the team's No. 1 spot the last two years.

A strong work ethic and growing up in a tennis family, including her parents, sister, and brother, Max, have helped her develop. She credited her dad, Steve, who has been her main tennis coach her entire life, with her advancement. 

"She is an extremely hard worker. very conscientious," Reyner said. "Keile spent a lot of time at the court with her dad drilling."

Not only has her game changed, leading her to a 12-3 singles record, but her leadership skills have changed over the years. Wahle took over the role last season and never looked back, helping the Warriors to two straight Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division titles.

 "She stepped in and took over last year," Reyner said. "This year, she kept right on going.

"She's a leader in the classroom, too, and a student government leader in school. She's the full package."

Wahle is the Student Government President at Washington and also serves as editor for the student paper, The Surveyor. Those responsibilities allowed her to transfer the leadership skills to the court.

"It helps me not be afraid to speak my mind or do what I think I should," Wahle said. "I've been doing those all year and those helped me not be afraid to tell someone some advice."

Wahle has gotten better on the court and in her mind from a year ago, which ended with her leading a regional match before having to injury default due to cramps. The progress lead to high expectations in her final postseason.

"She's definitely improved," Reyner said. "Her mental game is a whole lot tougher this year."

Tennis can be frustrating and be a test to one's will. Wahle worked on being stronger and being more focused.

"Tennis is a mental game. That's one of the main components," Wahle said. "You can have the abilities, the footwork and whatnot but it's all about confidence."

Uncertainty surrounds the regional meet. Wahle has handled foes from Hempstead and Senior but the Warriors are unfamiliar with the other three teams. Results against like opponents are similar. The potential is there for Wahle to advance to the state meet June 3-4 in Johnston.

"I think Keile is maybe one of the top 10 players in the state," Reyner said. "What happens on the tennis court sometimes isn't the way it should go."

Wahle knows exactly how she would like to conclude her prep tennis career.

"I'm ready to maybe make it to state," Wahle said. "The last couple years I've been really working toward that goal. This year, I've worked hard all year."

In other regional contests, Iowa City High hosts a meet at the University of Iowa Tennis Center, including Burlington, Cedar Rapids Prairie, Iowa City West, Linn-Mar and Muscatine. Cedar Rapids Kennedy travels to Marshalltown and Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Cedar Rapids Xavier head to Bettendorf.