Caro sisters lead turnaround for Prairie tennis

IOWA CITY — Just two years removed from a 3-11 season, the Cedar Rapids Prairie girls' tennis team finds itself in the thick of the MVC Valley division race – thanks in large part to the talent and influence of a pair of sibling underclassmen.

Sophomore returnee Magui Caro and her freshman sister Vale look to lead the Hawks (6-2, 6-2 MVC) to their seventh dual win this season at home against Cedar Rapids Xavier (5-3, 4-3 MVC) Thursday at 4.

"I think it has a lot to do with the sisters and their confidence," Prairie Coach Scott Leggat said during a Tuesday practice at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center. "They elevate our overall team play. They've put us on the map."

The sisters moved to Cedar Rapids in 2010 from their native Argentina, where they began playing tennis under the direction of their father, Gustavo Caro, a distinguished player in his own right.

Magui played varsity tennis for Prairie as a freshman last season, earning second-team all-MVC Valley honors in her first year of school tennis at any level.

"I wasn't expecting it to be as much fun as it was," Magui said. 'All the girls got really close, and they're really close this year as well so I like it."

Watching her big sister compete and have success as a varsity freshman only made the younger Vale more anxious for the increased competition and intensity that high school tennis would bring.

"I was jealous of Magui," Vale said. "I would watch Magui's meets and I would be like, 'Oh my gosh, I want to play with you.' I was excited to come up and play."

Leggat knew Vale would be comfortable challenging her older sister for a shot at the No. 1 singles spot, but he made sure she worked her way up through the Prairie lineup.

Not only did she earn No. 1, she's won seven of her eight singles' matches this year – the lone loss coming to defending Class 2A state runner-up Eve Small from Iowa City High.

"Being a freshman a lot of times I won't push it," Leggat said. "But she had the confidence and fortitude to say, 'I want a challenge.' She's fearless for a freshman."

Magui is undefeated at No. 2 singles, and the pair have displayed impressive chemistry and support for each other as doubles' partners, evidenced by their April 19 win over Cedar Rapids Washington's defending 2A state doubles runner-up duo of Lilly Hartman and Rina Moore.

"I feel like to win, we need energy and confidence," Vale said. "If we have energy and we all believe in ourselves and we are all together as a team, I feel like we can succeed."

CITY HIGH, WEST AT U OF I

Crosstown rivals Iowa City High and Iowa City West will stage boys' and girls' duals Friday at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center at the University of Iowa.

After opening the season with a loss at undefeated Washington and non-conference losses to Clinton and Bettendorf, the City High girls (6-3, 6-1 MVC) look to extend their dual winning streak to seven against the Women of Troy.

The Iowa City West boys' team has won 44 in a row.

MARION BOYS SEEK WAMAC CROWN

For the first time since 2004, the Wamac will crown a new boys' tennis champion at Tuesday's conference meet in Maquoketa. After a decade of dominance, Waterloo Columbus is now in the North Iowa Cedar League.

Marion, led by top singles' players Aaron Smith and Caleb Scott, will compete against Western Dubuque, Independence, and host Maquoketa for the title.