Xavier’s Gabi Fleming looking to be 4-time state champion

In theory, it sounds like it is a long way off.

Cedar Rapids Xavier's Gabi Fleming won the Class 1A state singles title last season as a freshman, defeating Waterloo Columbus's Kate Holton, 7-6, 6-1, in the title match.

That win put Fleming in line to possibly become only the third four-time state champion in Iowa prep history. That seems like a long way off, but with the girls’ tennis season moving to the fall this year, Fleming could be a three-time state champion by early October.

The Saints standout has been ranked No. 1 all season and is the top seed in this weekend's state meet, held Friday and Saturday at Byrnes Park in Waterloo. The Class 2A meet will be held at the Hawkeye Recreation and Tennis Center in Iowa City.

Play at both sites begins at 10 a.m. on Friday. Consolation play on Saturday begins at 9:30 a.m. with the semifinals set for 10 a.m. and title matches approximately 12:15 p.m.

Fleming and Holton could very well end up meeting again in this year's final. The Columbus junior is seeded No. 2.

Xavier Coach Matt Foxhoven said that Fleming is aware what winning last year could mean.

"When you win state as a freshman, the questions will always be there about winning it four times," Foxhoven said. "Gabi knows you can't win four times if you don't win the second one and so on. Her focus has always been one match at a time. There's no looking ahead with her."

That focus was on full display during the regional tournament where she won four matches without dropping a single game. Foxhoven said at the time Fleming, despite her domination, still was looking to improve certain aspects of her game.

Fleming is taking that approach to Waterloo on Friday in her quest to defend her title.

"With the individual tournament I really try to make sure my game is sound and I keep a level head," she said. "Because it is individual, I try to pour myself into my game and do the best I can."

Even though the state meet will be an individual competition, Fleming said having a team to provide support is an element that is not there when she plays other tournaments throughout the year.

"Non-team competitions are definitely more challenging," Fleming said. "Not being surrounded by a team full of talented and supportive people is hard to adjust to. I very much enjoy the time I spend with my team."

One of her Xavier teammates, sophomore Gemma Younadam, was supposed to be joining Fleming in the singles draw, but had to withdraw after suffering some complications from an appendectomy she had late last month. She was able to return just two weeks after the surgery to play in regionals, losing to Fleming in the final.

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The Saints will have two doubles teams in the field, as well. Ruby Smith and Izzy Tobin were given the top seed. Tia Halabi and Lulu Rozeboom are on the other side of the draw. Decorah's sister tandem of Olivia and Grace Huniker are seeded No. 2.

If the seeds hold, the Saints will repeat the feat of the 2022 team when Ella Tallett won the singles crown and Ally Burger and Courtney Carstensen took the doubles title.

In Class 2A, Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Lily Holland is the No. 4 seed. She will meet Linn-Mar's Reagan Boies in the first round. The Lions also have a pair of unseeded doubles teams in the draw, Maddie Harris/Emily Brandt and Anna Schlesinger/Mallory Erickson. Iowa City West's Sasha Postnikov and Marie Stier are also in the draw.