Girls’ tennis: 2025 area teams and players to watch

Players

Lilly Belle Barker, C.R. Washington, jr. — Qualified for the Class 2A state doubles tournament in 2024.

Emily Brandt, Linn-Mar, sr. — Qualified for Class 2A doubles tournament in 2024.

Mallory Erickson, Linn-Mar, sr. — Qualified for Class 2A doubles tournament in 2024.

Gabi Fleming, C.R. Xavier, soph. — Won Class 1A state singles championship as a freshman in 2024.

Claire Hahn, I.C. West, soph. — Qualified for Class 2A state doubles tournament in 2024.

Maddie Harris, Linn-Mar, sr. — Qualified for Class 2A doubles tournament in 2024.

Lily Holland, C.R. Jefferson, jr. — Finished second in Class 2A state singles in 2024.

Olivia Huniker, Decorah, jr. — Class 1A state doubles qualifier in 2024.

Vivian Kahler, I.C. Liberty, soph — Qualified for Class 2A state doubles tournament in 2024.

Anna Schlesinger, Linn-Mar, jr. — Qualified for Class 2A state singles tournament in 2024.

Ruby Smith, C.R. Xavier, sr. — Finished second in Class 1A doubles with 2024 graduate Avery Link.

Marie Stier, I.C. West, sr. — Qualified for Class 2A state doubles tournament in 2024.

Isabel Tobin, C.R. Xavier, sr. — Qualified for Class 1A state singles tournament last season.

Teams

C.R. Xavier — Coach Matt Foxhoven's team finished second in Class 1A, losing 5-4 to Pella in the title match. The Saints, in search of their first state title since 2021, will be led by sophomore Gabi Fleming, the defending state singles champion. Other returning state qualifiers include seniors Isabel Tobin and Ruby Smith. Gemma Younadam saw time in the varsity lineup as well and freshman Kelsey Weiss likely will be part of the top 6 for Foxhoven. "Gabi Fleming will try to go back to back for a singles championship," Foxhoven said. "Figuring out our doubles rotation is going to be something that will take some time but I'm excited to see the different combinations we can use."

I.C. West — The Trojans have a new coach in Nina Marquardt, who led Cedar Rapids Washington to a Class 2A state team title in 2023. West finished third in the team tournament, downing Marquardt's old team, C.R. Washington, 5-4 in the third-place match. Senior Marie Stier and sophomore Claire Hahn were state qualifiers last year. Other returners include senior Sasha Postnikov, along with sophomores Grace Wang, Sophia Singh, Audrey Crawford and Elsie Gross. Freshman Iris Vasi also could crack the starting lineup. Marquardt said "we have strong depth and experience from returning and new players."

Linn-Mar — Second-year coach Bruce Croy has high expectations for the Lions, who return four players (seniors Emily Brandt, Mallory Erickson, Maddie Harris and junior Anna Schlesinger) who qualified for the state tournament in 2024. A key addition will be talented freshman Reagan Boies. "We will have a ton of depth this year with our returners and in freshmen Reagan Boies," Croy said. "We are an experienced squad that has started to build our program into something special. This is arguably the strongest squad we have had in a long time."