Cedar Rapids Xavier comes up short in bid for girls’ state tennis history

The Cedar Rapids Xavier girls’ tennis team had hopes Wednesday of joining the boys’ team in making history.

Waterloo Columbus, a historical program in its own right, had other ideas.

The Sailors (11-1) ended the Saints’ dream of a third-straight state title with a 5-4 upset win at the Waveland Tennis Center in Des Moines, earning the 21st state title in program history.

Coach Matt Foxhoven's top-ranked team (18-2) was attempting to join the Xavier boys in having the singles, doubles and team champions all in the same year. They opened with a quick 5-0 win over Davenport Assumption (18-3) in the semifinals, but that momentum did not carry over to the final.

“I think it was just one of those days,” Foxhoven said. “Things just seemed to be clicking for them. I don't know if nerves took over for the girls, but it was just one of those days from the beginning.

“Columbus is a good team for a reason. They came out ready to play and kinda got the better of us today.”

The key for Columbus was two third-set super tiebreaker wins in singles. Alli Hagness avenged a loss to Ella Tallett in the semifinals of the state singles tournament with a 0-6, 6-2, 1-0 win at No. 3 while Avery Hogan outlasted Avery Link, 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 at No. 4.

“I knew Hagness would be pumped up to play Ella again after losing to her last weekend,” Foxhoven said. “She stormed back after that first set and had a great win.

“It was the same for Avery. She fought to get back and do what she could, but it wasn't quite enough.”

Xavier did get wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, but Hagness and Fain closed out the meet with a straight-set win over Tallett and Link.

In 2A play at Waukee Northwest, Cedar Rapids Washington (17-2) avenged a regular-season loss to Cedar Falls (16-3), rolling past the Tigers, 5-1, in the third-place match.

Coach Brandon Hornback's team fell 5-0 to top seed and eventual state champion West Des Moines Dowling in the semifinals.

The crucial win for the Warriors came from Chloe Palmer at No. 5 singles. Her three-set win over Elena Escalada secured the win and kept the meet from having to go to doubles.

Dowling (12-0) downed West Des Moines Valley (13-3), 5-0, in the championship match.

Class 1A girls’ state tennis

At Des Moines, Waveland Tennis Center

FINALS

Waterloo Columbus 5, Cedar Rapids Xavier 4

Singles: Courtney Carstensen (X) def. Chloe Butler, 6-3, 6-2; Sophia Fain (WC) def. Ally Burger, 6-3, 6-4; Alli Hagness (WC) def. Ella Tallet, 0-6, 6-3, 1-0; Avery Hogan (WC) def. Avery Link, 6-1, 4-6, 1-0; Ellen Hollen (WC) def Riley Braksiek, 6-3, 6-4; Maggie Zittergruen (X) def. Bella Nelson, 6-1, 6-3.

Doubles: Carstensen/Burger (X) def. Butler/Hogan 6-4,; Hagness-Fain (WC) def. Tallett/Link (X), 6-3, 6-2; Braksiek/Zittergruen (X) def. E. Hollen/Rachel Hollen, 6-4, 6-2.

Consolation

Davenport Assumption 5, Spirit Lake-Okoboji 1

SEMIFINALS

Waterloo Columbus 5, Spirit Lake-Okoboji 1

Cedar Rapids Xavier 5, Davenport Assumption 0

Singles: Courtney Carstensen (X) def. Mary Rolfstad, 6-1, 7-5; Ally Burger (X) def. Ella DiLuilo 7-5, 6-1; Avery Link (X) def. Lexis Timmerman, 6-4, 6-3; Riley Braksiek (X) def. Addison Walter, 6-4, 6-4; Maggie Zittergruen (X) def. Shannon Bush, 6-3, 6-2.

Class 2A girls’ state tennis

At Waukee Northwest Tennis Complex

FINALS

West Des Moines Dowling 5, West Des Moines Valley 0

CONSOLATION

Cedar Rapids Washington 5, Cedar Falls 1

Singles: Kathryn Zylstra (CRW) def. Maya Mallavarpu, 7-5, 6-0; Katelynn Kock (CRW) def. Madison Sagers, 6-2, 6-0, Liberty Wickham (CRW) def. Sriya Kalala, 6-2, 6-4, Mya Messenger (CRW) def. Ella Seger, 6-3, 6-1, Chloe Palmer (CRW) def. Elena Escalada, 7-5, 3-6 1-0, Katie Remmert (CF) def. Peyton Caldwell, 6-2, 1-6, 1-0

SEMIFINALS

West Des Moines Valley 5, Cedar Falls 3

West Des Moines Dowling 5, Cedar Rapids Washington 0

Singles: Ava Petersen (Dowling) def. Katelynn Kock, 5-7, 6-4, 1-0; Kenzie Klein (Dowling) def. Liberty Wickham 6-0, 6-7, 1-0; Isa Valverde (Dowling) def. Mya Messenger, 6-1, 7-5; Grace Frye (Dowling) def. Chloe Palmer, 6-1, 6-2; Ellie Sackett (Dowling) def. Peyton Caldwell, 6-0, 6-2.