Cougars outlasts Lions for state tennis berth

CEDAR RAPIDS - Neither Cedar Rapids Kennedy's nor Linn-Mar's boys tennis team wanted the season to end Saturday.

So, the team's literally battled as long as the rules allowed, and when the final point was scored the Cougars earned a hard-fought berth to the state tournament.

Nolan Nietert and Ethan Garscho outlasted Ryan Jennings and Blake Young in a third-set tiebreaker of the final doubles match to lift the Cougars over the Lions, 5-4, for the Class 2A substate team tennis title at Coe College.

The championship was indicative of Kennedy's team mentality all season.

“It was a full team effort not one player,” Nietert said. “All throughout the year, everybody's been doing their part. We're getting it done as a team.”

Garscho and Nietert certainly did their part Saturday, staving off two match points to keep the Cougars' state hopes alive. The duo was fully aware of the score after the team's split the six singles matches and the other two doubles with Linn-Mar's T.J. McCann and Gavin Young beat Dan Wasta and B.J. Cunningham, 6-2, 6-1, and Kennedy's top doubles team of Jeff Damisch and Riley Galbraith notch a come-from-behind win over state qualifiers Tyler McCann and Mitch anderson, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2.

“It was us versus them for state,” Garscho said. “That was always in the back of our minds. We were thinking win or this is the end. We had to win this to go to state for the rest of our team.”

Garscho and Nietert, as well as the entire team, had their backs against the wall, but the Cougars clawed back. They trailed 4-3 in the second, already down a set, but won the last three points, including a crucial service break to go up 5-4.

“You could see things swing in that second set when they were down,” Bova said. “All of a sudden they just picked things up to take it three. When they got their backs against the wall again it was just a matter of them knowing what they needed to do.”

The doubles players fought off exhaustion, playing a marathon match in their fourth match of the day. They were powered by adrenaline late. getting a boost from the run at the end of the second set and cheers from the crowd that assembled which included players from both teams.

“The crowd and that second set when we came through gave us some motivation,” Nietert said. “All the momentum we had kept us going. We kept telling each other one point at a time and close, get into the net. ”

In the tiebreaker, the Cougars wanted to grab a lead early. They kept it simple.

“It was just be the first one to five,” Garscho said. “Usually the first one to five wins it so our goal was to get there and then finish it out.”

The Cougars claimed the victory when a Linn-Mar return went into the net. Other players hopped a fence and congratulated the doubles team and their coach, who embraced Garscho and Nietert.

“I'm glad we could get our seniors to state,” Nietert said. “They have a reputation of always making it to state. I was glad to come through for them.”

Damisch, who also qualified for the 2A singles state meet, and Galbraith won in singles competition. Damisch was solid against Tyler McCann, hitting winners for a 6-0, 6-1, win in No. 1 singles. Galbraith was aggressive, claiming a 6-2, 6-2, win over Mitch Anderson in No. 2 singles. Galbraith showed his toughness in the doubles match, overcoming a right-knee injury which had to be taped up.

The Cougars return to the state meet for the third straight year, placing thirs last year after winning a 2A title in 2008. This victory was more gratifying, considering Linn-Mar won a regular season dual, snapping Kennedy's Mississippi Valley Conference win streak, and the Cougars were without two key players from last year. Joey White graduated early and another was ineligible.

“These kids battled every dual,” Bova said. “I don't think people gave them the credit they deserved. They stuck in there each match."

Tradition can play a role in success. The Cougars were able to rebuild their line despite missing talented players.

“Even if some people leave, you can't count out Kennedy,” Nietert said. “They're still there to fight and go to the end.”

Kennedy advanced to the regional championship, blanking Waterloo West, 5-0. The Cougars swept the singles matches, getting two-set victories from Galbraith, Garscho, Nietert and Cunningham. The win wasn't as easy as the score indicated.

"We started to roll and got stalled," Bova said. "Then it became a knockdown (match)."

The Lions reached the finals with their second win over Cedar Rapids Washington. They topped the Warriors, 5-2, receiving wins from Tyler McCann, Gavin Young, Jennings and Blake Young in singles. Jennings and Blake young closed the match out the team's second win over the Warriors with a 6-1, 6-1, victory over Alex Intlekofer and Matt Worley.

Linn-Mar closed the season 16-2 after winning a second straight MVC divison title. Missing the state tournament doesn't diminish the Lions' accomplishments this season.

“They put a lot of effort into this season,” Wundram said. “It's a tough way to go out.

“They gave it their all and we just came up a little bit short.”

The Lions took the loss pretty hard. Wundram said a few were emotional after the game. It might take a little time for the sting to subside, but Wundram said they can hang their hat  on being one of the top eight teams in the state.

“We were a point away from being top four in the state,” Wundram said. “Right now, that doesn't mean much to my kids.” 

The Cougars advance to the 2A state semifinals Tuesday, June 1, at Waveland Tennis Courts in Des Moines.