Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Miyako Coffey eyes state singles title this year

Two years ago, Miyako Coffey was a state doubles champion.

Now, in her final year of prep tennis, the Cedar Rapids Xavier senior is looking to add a singles crown.

Coffey's quest for the championship double starts Wednesday when the Class 1A state singles and doubles tournament begins in Waterloo. The 2A tournament will be held at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center in Iowa City where Iowa City West has entries in singles and doubles.

Title matches in both classes are scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

As a sophomore, Coffey teamed with Emily Jasper to win a state title. After having last season canceled due to COVID-19, Coffey entered the season with the long-range goal of playing for a singles title.

"I don't think I've peaked yet," Coffey said. "I'm enjoying this while I can and I am ready to compete at state."

Coffey drew the No. 2 seed. Waterloo Columbus sophomore Sasha Hyacinth is the top seed.

"Miyako has played a lot of matches over her career and is excited for what is ahead of her," said Xavier Coach Matt Foxhoven. "I know there are some talented players on the bottom side of the singles bracket, so she will have to be locked in and engaged right away.

"Her mentality all year has been one match at a time, so that will continue to be the thought going forward. Miyako has never played Sasha, but we know she is a very good player from a historic program. We can’t look ahead though, and Miyako knows she has to take things one match at a time."

Xavier's doubles team of Ally Burger and Courtney Carstensen also drew a No. 2 seed behind Fairfield's Yana Gaskell and Nellie Higdon. The Saints second doubles team of Ella Tallett and Avery Link also are in the draw.

"Courtney and Ally, I liked the draw they received but also know that anything can happen," Foxhoven said. "If they want to have success, they will need to play their game and show up ready to go."

Three other Gazette-area entries are unseeded in the 1A doubles draw, including two teams from Decorah — Morgan Brauer and Cady Peterson along with Mara Holland and Annalise Skrade. Sisters Alexa and Belle Weber of Union also are in the field.

No Gazette-area players are seeded in the 2A singles draw. A pair of doubles teams did earn seeds. Sisters Caroline and Julianna Mascardo of Iowa City West got the third seed while Cedar Rapids Washington's Kathryn Zylstra and Katelynn Kock are seeded fourth.

West is the only school to have multiple entries. Trojan sophomore Ella DeYoung is in the singles draw.

"I found it interesting that the 19-0 undefeated MVC player of the year didn't get a top 4 seed," said West Coach Amie Villarini. "Even though Ella is unseeded, I think she has a good draw and should compete well. This is her first state appearance so the pressure is on the seeded people.

I'm thrilled (the Mescardo sisters) got a seed and also seem to have a draw where we feel they should compete well. The doubles teams in the draw are solid and there should be some good, competitive tennis."

Three other Mississippi Valley Conference players — Cedar Rapids Prairie's Ayva Bohr, Iowa City High's Sarah Dockery-Jackson and Iowa City Liberty's Ella Gilbert — are in the singles draw. Josie Norris and Mya Messenger of Cedar Rapids Washington are in the doubles draw.