Xavier girls’ tennis goes for state sweep Monday

The focus has been there from the start.

Now all that is left for the Cedar Rapids Xavier girls’ tennis team is to finish strong.

The Saints have been dominant all season, going unbeaten in 25 matches against a schedule of mostly Class 2A teams. The final hurdle to clear comes Monday in the completion of the Class 1A state at Caldwell Park in Pella.

Coach Matt Foxhoven's team will face Carroll Kuemper in one semifinal with host Pella (15-0) facing off with Decorah (13-1) in the other. Play begins at 9 a.m. with the consolation and championship matches to follow.

Xavier had a successful run at the individual singles and doubles tournament over the weekend. Sophomore Gabi Fleming became a two-time state champion in singles, downing Kate Holton of Waterloo Columubus in the final. The doubles team of Ruby Smith and Isabel Tobin also grabbed a state title, downing a Dike-New Hartford’s Izzy North and Aidalyn Tott in the title match.

Ironically, despite Xavier's success this season, Foxhoven said he has preached that being "perfect" in tennis is impossible.

"We have really preached that this year that we have to do what it takes to win," he said.

An unknown for the Saints is the availability of sophomore Gemma Younadam. She underwent an appendectomy about a month ago, but was able to return and qualified for the state singles meet. She then experienced some complications from the surgery and had to withdraw from that meet.

Foxhoven said it is not likely Younadam will play in the team event, but she has not been ruled out for sure. If Younadam is unable to go, Xavier has some capable replacements.

"(Junior) Gemma Zeckser has a ton of experience dating all the way back to her freshman year," Foxhoven said. "She has been tested and has plenty of experience so if she is called upon, she will be ready. We also have Kelsey Weiss in our doubles line up if Gemma Younadam is not able to go. She's just a freshman but is super competitive and won't shy away from the moment."

Both players came through for the Saints when Younadam was out earlier this month.

"We can look back at some of our matches this year - Dowling, Hempstead, Iowa City West and Linn-Mar - as matches where we had to rely on everyone in the line up in singles and doubles," Foxhoven said. "It will take everyone on Monday to get through our matches."

The final four teams all are talented, according to Foxhoven. Pella defeated the Saints, 5-4, in the 2024 championship match.

"Last year we played Kuemper in the team quarterfinals and it was a battle," he said. "They return their whole roster and will be ready to play us.

"Pella is defending state champs and is undefeated. Decorah and Kuemper each have one loss and played very competitive schedules. We know we aren't going to walk in there and have it handed to us so we need to be on our game and stay composed."

No area 2A teams made the semifinals. Waukee Northwest (16-1) will play Johnston (20-0) and West Des Moines rivals Dowling (12-3) and Valley (13-3) will meet in matches at Waukee Northwest.