Iowa high school boys’ tennis 2024 state team tournament brackets, storylines to follow

As the Iowa high school boys’ tennis season concludes with the state team tournaments, a number of interesting storylines could play out.

In Class 1A, Cedar Rapids Xavier is in search of a fifth consecutive state title.

The 2A field features three area schools. Iowa City West is the two-time defending state champion, but is seeded fourth. Linn-Mar is the second seed and will be looking for its first state title since 2018. That quest will begin against a familiar foe, MVC rival Cedar Rapids Washington, the No. 7 seed.

Play in both classes begins Thursday at 9 a.m. with quarterfinal-round matches followed by the semifinals. Consolation and championship matches are set for Friday. The third-place matches will be at 9 a.m. with the finals set for 10 a.m.

Class 1A matches will be played at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center in Iowa City with 2A matches at Waukee Northwest High School.

Coach Jim Potts’ Xavier team has once again been solid, losing only to Dubuque Wahlert, Linn-Mar and Iowa City West during the regular season. The Wahlert match was a 5-4 setback to open the season and a rematch could occur in the finals as the Golden Eagles are the No. 1 seed in 1A.

“With freshman Bennett Link joining the team this year I feel we are in a good position for another run at state,” Potts said.

Link, who qualified for the state singles tournament last week, joined a veteran group that includes Charlie LeGrand and Jacob Schmit, who finished third in the state doubles meet.

Xavier opens with No. 7 seed Decorah, which features 2023 state singles champion Caden Branum. The No. 1 singles match will be a replay of that 2023 final where Branum downed LeGrand in three sets.

The 2A final has the potential to end up pitting top seed Waukee Northwest against an unbeaten Linn-Mar team. Northwest's only loss was a 5-4 setback to a team from Wyzata, Minn. The Wolves are led by two-time state singles champion Kaden Taylor and two-time doubles champs Kellan Croatt and Jake Nelson. The Lions are 16-0 and have a deep, talented lineup.

“Our team is in the best position we could possibly put ourselves in,” Wundram said. “We are tested (defeated five top-10 teams) and still not satisfied. It’s going to take a lot to knock us out."

Linn-Mar is led by senior Malcolm Rice and sophomore Garret Bauermeister. That duo lost in the state final to Northwest's Croatt and Nelson.

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Before a matchup with Northwest can happen, the Lions must navigate their way past a talented Warriors team, led by junior Luke Burkamper, in the quarterfinals. Then it would be a matchup with the winner between No. 3 Pleasant Valley and No. 6 West Des Moines Valley.

Rice knows winning a state title will take a great effort from the entire Lions roster.

“In team state I think we can also make the top two,” he said. “It won’t be easy by any means but we have so much drive and love for the sport and I think that really pushes everyone to do the best they can.”

Iowa City West opens with No. 5 Mason City in its quest for a third straight title. Seniors Samir Singh and Patrick Selby finished third at state doubles last week and are the top two singles players for Coach Marshal Moellers' team.

Class 2A boys’ tennis team state tournament

Quarterfinals — Thursday, May 30 (9 a.m.)

At Waukee Northwest High School

No. 1 Waukee Northwest (13-1) vs. No. 8 Cedar Falls (12-8)

No. 4 Iowa City West (14-2) vs. No. 5 Mason City (15-2)

No. 2 Linn-Mar (16-0) vs. No. 7 Cedar Rapids Washington (12-5)

No. 3 Pleasant Valley (13-0) vs. No. 6 West Des Moines Valley (12-1)

Semifinals — Thursday, May 30

At Waukee Northwest High School

Finals — Friday, May 31

At Waukee Northwest High School

10 a.m.

Class 1A boys’ tennis team state tournament

Quarterfinals — Thursday, May 30 (9 a.m.)

At Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center

No. 1 Dubuque Wahlert (15-1) vs. No. 8 Sergeant Bluff-Luton (20-0)

No. 4 Waverly-Shell Rock (10-3) vs. No. 5 North Polk (25-3)

No. 2 Cedar Rapids Xavier (13-3) vs. No. 7 Decorah (11-3-1)

No. 3 Pella (16-0) vs. No. 6 Boone (20-3)

Semifinals — Thursday, May 30

At Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center

Finals — Friday, May 31

At Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center

10 a.m.