Xavier duo headed to state

WATERLOO - With aromas of freshly opened tennis balls and the sounds of tennis sneakers sliding across the courts, the high school girls' regional tennis meet got underway early Thursday morning.

Two regions were on deck at Byrnes Park in Waterloo. Region 4 hosted teams from Cedar Rapids Xavier, South Tama, Independence and Mount Vernon - among others - while Region 6 had Marion among its participants.

Allison Jasper and Kylie Dewees of Xavier reached the finals in the singles' bracket, defeating Emily Martin of South Tama and Ellen Swartz of South Harman, respectively. Jasper beat Dewees to earn the overall title.

Jasper said it was interesting but sometimes difficult when realizing she was playing her opponent for the title.

'It's tough because as a competitor, you want to win,” Jasper said. 'And I wanted to slam it, but thought ‘Kylie's my friend.' I had mixed feelings.”

Dewees defeated Jasper earlier in the regular season in some challenge matches. Jasper said it was a nice way for her to come back get the win.

The ultimate goal was achieved, Dewees said, by having both herself and Jasper in the final match.

'Since we got through, we're really excited and hope we can carry that momentum through regional finals for team on Saturday,” Dewees said.

In his first year as head coach, Matt Foxhoven said he was blessed to have players such as Jasper and Dewees.

'I have never had to tell them ‘come on, work a little harder,'” Foxhoven said. 'They're all tennis and very good students. But tennis is where it's at for them.”

Jasper and Dewees earned automatic bids to the state tournament with their advancement to the final round of regionals.

In doubles, host Columbus swept the board, earning both automatic bids to the state tournament. Sister combo Lindsay and Lauren McManus defeated South Tama's Tori Applegate and Madison Baack to get to the championship match.

Applegate and Baack were playing together at the regionals for the first time this year. Baack's partner played singles and was unable to play in the doubles' tournament.

'Our level of intensity during the game has definitely increased throughout the day,” Baack said.

Marion had two singles entries, Madison Wilson and Kate Quint, who both lost in the second round. Marion also had two doubles pairs, Allison Edwards and Nicole Toppin and Shannon Sellers and Baylea Bruce. They're afternoons were done early after losing in the first round of the tournament.

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