Linn-Mar tennis teams off to roaring starts

MARION – For the Linn-Mar girls' tennis team, last year seems like a distant memory.

After collecting just six victories last season, the Lions won 25 of 27 matches last week and claimed the first three duals of the season with a team made up almost exclusively of experienced upperclassmen.

'They're girls that work hard, we have a lot of senior leadership,' Linn-Mar Coach Stacie Carpenter said. 'I know tomorrow is going to be a different match against City High. It's going to be a challenge, but hopefully we'll be up the challenge.'

Linn-Mar (3-0) visits the defending Mississippi Valley Conference champion Little Hawks (0-1) Tuesday at 4.

The Lions have been bolstered by the return of junior Ellie Anderson, who returned to the team after a year of club volleyball and has not missed a beat at No. 1 singles.

'I played so long, my game has not really changed,' said Anderson, a singles state qualifier in 2014 and a University of Denver volleyball commit. 'I got back pretty fast, I'm glad to be back. It's fun.'

Anderson's return to the top of the lineup has allowed a stout group of seniors like all-MVC selection Nicole Glanz and Jamie Wantock to deliver strength and experience to spots two and three. Juniors Megan Burr, Katie Nowak and Lauren Resewehr, plus seniors Jessica Carpenter and Alice Kirsch, provide plenty of depth to the back half of the lineup.

'It's making them all better players,' Carpenter said.

FOURTH-RANKED LINN-MAR BOYS EMBRACING UNDERDOG ROLE

The Linn-Mar boys may have lost four of the top six players from last year's state championship team, but they aren't about to change expectations.

'These guys have quickly realized how fun it is to win,' Linn-Mar Coach Chris Wundram said. 'It doesn't come with saying, 'I want to win.' It comes by putting hours in on the court, putting hours in off the court.'

The Lions (4-0, 3-0 MVC) have roared to the top of the MVC standings and are ranked fourth in the latest Iowa High School Tennis Coaches poll.

Sophomore Ben Hediger has impressed early at No. 1 singles, while sophomore Lucas Huffman and junior Shane Skvor – the two returners from last season's singles lineup – moved from slots six and five, respectively, to second and third.

Linn-Mar will be tested Tuesday at 4 with a home dual against seventh-ranked Iowa City High (1-0).

'This group, even though they're young and people have doubted us, they don't like losing,' Wundram said. 'They are going to do everything in their power to keep this thing rolling.'

KENNEDY GIRLS SHOW HEART

Whether wrapping Christmas presents at the mall to support the American Red Cross or making inspirational cards for cancer patients through the Gems of Hope, the Cedar Rapids Kennedy girls' tennis team have their hearts in the right place.

Now the hearts are on their shirts.

This week, the Cougars are selling T-shirts to benefit the Adolescent and Young Adult program at the University of Iowa Hospital's Holden Cancer Center. The shirts feature two red tennis racquets intertwined to form a heart and all proceeds will used to help fund a much-needed teen room at the center.

Kennedy hosts crosstown MVC foe Washington Tuesday at 4.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com