Cedar Rapids Washington senior Katelynn Kock claims Class 2A state singles championship

JOHNSTON — It was always a goal, but it was something Katelynn Kock never took for granted.

In a season where she dominated her foes from start to finish, the Cedar Rapids Washington senior remained humble to the end.

“Right now it doesn't really feel real,” Kock said Saturday after downing Cedar Rapids Jefferson’s Lily Holland, 6-1, 6-0, to claim the Class 2A state singles title at Johnston High School. “Obviously, everybody wants to win the state championship and everybody wants to end their career with a win.

“I get to walk out of high school with the trophy. It's just an unreal feeling. When I look back, it won't be the wins and losses that will be remembered, it will be how I played the game and the respect I had for my opponents.”

For Kock, who will play collegiately at Nebraska-Omaha, there was never really a challenge throughout the season. Before downing Holland in the final, she had no trouble dispatching Pleasant Valley’s Lauren Masengarb, 6-0, 6-2 in the semifinals.

“She just took care of business today,” Warriors Coach Nina Marquardt said. “She is definitely deserving of this. Katelynn has put in the work and it showed today.”

Her opponent in the final was a familiar one. Holland, the second seed, won her semifinal over Mackenzie Sagers of Cedar Falls, 7-5, 6-3.

“Having two players from Cedar Rapids in the final was awesome,” Kock said. “It shows just how hard we work and it helped to put Cedar Rapids on the map.”

Kock said playing a familiar opponent was not a real advantage to either player.

“It was an even playing field,” Kock said. “And we've been playing in tournaments and making just about every final we were in when we were younger. I'm not a stranger to her and she is not a stranger to me.”

Two other area players earned top-eight singles finishes. Iowa City Liberty senior Ella Gilbert took sixth, dropping a three-set decision to North Scott’s Madelyn Jepsen after a straight-set win over Gwen Farley of Dallas Center-Grimes to open play on Saturday.

Iowa City West’s Maggie Shin took seventh. After losing in two sets to Jepsen, Shin downed Farley in the seventh-place match.

Marion’s doubles team of Michaela Goad and Natalee Hartman took sixth. After winning in straight sets over West Des Moines Dowling’s Victoria Bakros and Presila Edeard, they lost a two-set match to Pleasant Valley’s Jordan Kabongo and Jordan Ingram.