Iowa high school girls’ tennis 2024: Gazette area players and teams to watch

CEDAR RAPIDS — Katelynn Kock has accomplished much in her high school tennis career.

The Cedar Rapids Washington senior was a key cog in the Warriors winning the Class 2A team championship last spring. She also combined with 2023 graduate Kathryn Zylstra to capture a 2A doubles championship in 2022.

One goal remains.

“I have always wondered what a run at the state singles title would look like for me,” Kock said. “I obviously loved every second playing doubles with Kathryn, but I am mainly a singles player.”

Kock enters the season as the top-ranked singles player in Class 2A. She is focused on becoming one of the few players in Iowa history to win a singles, doubles and team championship.

“I have always done better in singles at USTA tournaments and enjoy it a little more than doubles,” Kock said. “I'm excited that I can finally showcase the work that I have put in as a singles player this year.”

Washington Coach Nina Marquardt believes Kock is primed for that championship run.

“She knows what she wants, what her goals are and she's realistic about what she needs to do to reach those goals,” Marquardt said. “She never expects anything to be handed to her.”

For Kock, who will continue her career collegiately next year at Nebraska-Omaha, the drive for success has always been there. After losing in the Class 2A doubles final last year with Zylstra to the Cedar Falls duo of Maya Mallavarapu and Madison Sagers, Kock regrouped quickly, winning easily in two singles matches at the team tournament, then combining with Zylstra for the clinching victory in the title match against West Des Moines Dowling.

Marquardt was not surprised by the way Kock bounced back in the team tournament.

“Her best traits are definitely her drive, intensity and resiliency,” said the second-year Washington coach. “She is an absolute workhorse. She puts her all into every point and every match. She takes every practice and meet seriously, no matter her competitor.”

Sometimes the biggest competitor Kock deals with is herself. As she has grown as a player, that has become less of an issue.

“My biggest focus this season is my mental game,” she said. “I think that will be my biggest advantage this season. My biggest opponent is myself and how I deal with my own mind in high pressure situations.”

Kock and Marquardt believe the Warriors have a great opportunity to contend again in Class 2A, despite the loss of Zylstra, Chloe Palmer and Peyton Caldwell from the title team.

“I've always seen myself as a team player leader along with Kathryn,” Kock said. “It will be tough to make up for her and what she contributed to the team, but in high school tennis it's always a team effort and I believe if the girls step up and continue to work hard there is no reason we wouldn't be able to bring home the trophy again.”

Marquardt simply said: “Don't count us out.”

Girls’ tennis 2024: Gazette area teams to watch

Cedar Rapids Washington — Nina Marquardt made quite a splash in her first year coaching the Warriors, leading them to the Class 2A team title. She welcomes back one of the state's top players in senior Katelynn Kock. The Nebraska-Omaha commit likely will go after her first state singles title after winning a doubles title and finishing second with 2023 graduate Kathryn Zylstra. Wash also returns senior Mya Messenger and sophomore Lily Belle Barker from the state title team. Sophomore Samantha Becker also saw some varsity time. “We have many athletes moving up in the lineup this season who will be crucial assets to our success this year,” Marquardt said. “I'm excited for those younger players to have an opportunity to step up and be challenged this year.”

Cedar Rapids Xavier — It was a rare off year for the Saints, who were upset by eventual state champion DeWitt Central in the Class 1A state quarterfinals. Four players from that team — seniors Abery Link and Olivia Cobb, along with juniors Ruby Smith and Isabel Tobin — return for Coach Matt Foxhoven. Freshman Gabi Fleming comes from a talented tennis family and could contend for a state title in her first year. "We have four returning starters with three of them getting their first look at varsity last year so a lot of experience now returning," Foxhoven said. “Gabi Fleming may be our No. 1 this year, Avery Link returns as well so they will play early in the year for the spot but regardless, we should have some strength at the top of our line up.”

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Iowa City West — Coach Brenda Guan begins her second season with the Trojans looking to reload the lineup. Three veterans — senior Maggie Shin along with juniors Claire Hahn and Marie Stier — are back. Seniors Delmira Jara and Anna Vasi and sophomore Audrey Crawford also saw varsity action in 2023. A trio for freshmen — Sophie Singh, Grace Wang and Elsie Gross — could help push West up among the contenders again.

Girls’ tennis 2024: Gazette area players to watch

With 2023 state results:

Ella Gilbert, Iowa City Liberty, sr. — Finished seventh in Class 2A singles.

Michaela Goad, Marion, sr. — Combined with Natalie Hartman to finish third in Class 1A doubles.

Natalie Hartman, Marion, sr. — Combined with Michaela Goad to finish third in 1A doubles.

Lily Holland, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, soph. — Finished sixth in 2A singles.

Katelynn Kock Cedar Rapids Washington, sr. — Combined with 2023 graduate Kathryn Zylstra to finish second in 2A doubles and was part of Warriors 2A state team champion.

Evon Leitz, Decorah, sr. — 1A state qualifier.

Avery Link, Cedar Rapids Xavier, sr. — 1A state qualifier.

Ruby Smith, Cedar Rapids Xavier, jr. — 1A state doubles qualifier with teammate Isabel Tobin and helped Xavier qualify for the 1A team tournament

Isabel Tobin, Cedar Rapids Xavier, jr. — 1A state doubles qualifier with teammate Ruby Smith helped Xavier qualify for the 1A team tournament.