2025 girls’ tennis preview: Teams and players to watch for this fall

TEAMS

C.R. Xavier — The Saints will be looking to make it two Class 1A state titles in five months, after downing Pella, 5-2 in last spring's final. Coach Matt Foxhoven's team will once again be led by Gabi Fleming. The junior already has won a pair of state singles titles and is a heavy favorite to repeat in October. Three other state qualifiers — senior Lulu Rozeboom, along with juniors Gemma Younadam and Tia Halabi — also return. Senior Gemma Zeckser and sophomore Kelsey Weiss also saw varsity time. "Obviously having a returning state champion at the top of our line up helps," Foxhoven said, "but every girl in our top six played in crucial matches last year so the match experience will go a long way for us."

Decorah — The Vikings finished third in Class 1A last spring, losing 5-2 to Pella in the semifinals before defeating Carroll Kuemper, 5-1, in the third-place match. Sisters Olivia and Grace Huniker return to lead the way for Decorah. Their mother, Amanda, is the coach and she watched her daughters finish third in the 1A doubles tournament. Senior Kaitlyn Bjork also returns. The key for the Vikings will be filling holes in the bottom three spots of their lineup. Seniors Dylin Thompson and Addison Maki, along with junior Myla Leitz, are the top contenders to fill out the lineup "The girls stepping into bottom three spots have had some varsity experience and are comparable players," said Coach Huniker.

Linn-Mar — Coach Bruce Croy has a young team this fall with only one senior, two-time state qualifier Anna Schlesinger, in the top six. Sophomore Reagan Boies was a state qualifier in the spring and continues to improve. Sophomore Maddie Hunt also is back. "We graduated our seventh-place state doubles team and a state doubles qualifier, so we are a young team this year," Croy said, "but we will only lose one senior (after this year), so these girls will get to grow together and do some awesome things."

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PLAYERS

Reagan Boies, Linn-Mar, soph. — Was a Class 2A state qualifier last spring.

Gabi Fleming, CR Xavier, jr. — Two-time defending Class 1A state singles champion.

Tia Halabi, CR Xavier, jr. — Finished fifth in Class 1A doubles with Lulu Rozeboom.

Lily Holland, CR Jefferson, sr. — Finished fourth in Class 2A singles and is a three-time state place-winner.

Grace Huinker, Decorah, soph. — Combined with sister Olivia to finish third in Class 1A doubles.

Olivia Huinker, Decorah, sr. — Combined with sister Grace to finish third in Class 1A doubles.

Lulu Rozeboom, CR Xavier, jr. — Finished fifth in Class 1A doubles with Tia Halabi.

Anna Schlesinger, Linn-Mar, sr. — Two-time state qualifier.

Gemma Younadam, CR Xavier, jr. — Qualified for Class 1A state singles tournament last spring.