Cedar Rapids Washington, Xavier seek girls’ state tennis team titles following individual success

The team aspect of tennis has always resonated for Katelynn Kock. As she closes her prep career on Wednesday, the Cedar Rapids Washington senior could end up being the ultimate mentor to a teammate.

The third-seeded and defending state champion Warriors (18-6) will be facing No. 2 West Des Moines Valley (17-9) in the Class 2A state team semifinals at Waukee Northwest High School. Both teams are expected to be without key performers.

Washington’s Samamtha Becker is out with a leg injury while Valley’s top player, Lexi Moen, is not likely to play due to an illness. Both players had to withdraw from the state singles tournament last weekend.

“Sam isn't going to be able to play,” Washington Coch Nina Marquardt said. “In singles we can just move everybody up, but in doubles the player has to move into the spot where the injured player was entered.”

Becker's replacement will be senior McKenzie Miller, who has varsity experience, but has not played in the postseason. Miller would now be Kock’s partner at No. 2 doubles.

“I really need to just step up even more than before,” said Kock, the 2A state singles champion. “Playing at No. 2, I really just need to try and set up my partner for shots for her to put away. It's a big ask to have somebody come up from the bottom of the lineup and play at No. 2 doubles, but I have no doubt that she can step up and do it.”

The other semifinal will have No. 1 seed West Des Moines Dowling (21-3) meeting No. 4 seed Iowa City West (18-7). Coach Brenda Guan's Trojans advanced to the final four with a 5-4 upset win over Pleasant Valley in the quarterfinals.

In Class 1A, Cedar Rapids Xavier (27-3) is the top seed and will meet No. 4 seed Dike-New Hartford (17-5) in the semifinals, to be held at Byrnes Park in Waterloo.

The Saints are entering the team tournament on a high note. Freshman Gabi Fleming came away with a state singles title while Avery Link and Ruby Smith finished third in doubles last Saturday in Iowa City.

“It is always good to go into the team tournament after playing well in the singles and doubles tournament,” Foxhoven said. “We had our entire team here watching the finals. We know Dike-New Hartford is a tough team. They took out (2022 state champion) DeWitt Central in the quarterfinals so we will have to be ready.”

The Saints were bounced in the quarterfinals last year by DeWitt Central and are looking to win a state title for the first time since 2021.

“While last year might’ve ended earlier than expected, my teammates and I don’t view it as a disappointment,” Link said. “The special thing about this team is that our motivation comes from each other and our desire to win for each other. We all have a common goal and work together to accomplish that.”

No. 2 seed Pella (20-6) meets No. 3 Spencer (13-6) in the other semifinal.

Semifinal matches in both classes begin at 8 a.m. with consolation and championship play scheduled for noon.