HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Saints ready to start tennis season

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By Lucy Martin, Xavier junior

CEDAR RAPIDS  - The boys' and girls' tennis teams at Cedar Rapids Xavier are ready to start their season.

The boys' team ended 2011 with a record of 8-5 in the Mississippi Valley Conference and 10-5 overall. The Saints  also placed second their MVC division. The boys' team has a couple returning players - senior Noah Schmall and junior Grant Hunt - to try and lead the team to victory.

“I hope we have a great year and everyone plays to their potential,” Schmall said.

Last year's boys' coach, Rob Martin, will not be returning after resigning. Hannah Jensen will  step up into the head coaching position to help the team be victorious this year. Jensen is a senior at Coe College and is a girls' varsity tennis player.

Returning to the girls' team are seniors Meggie Gates and Laura Birky, who was a state runner-up  in doubles last year.

“I would like to grow as a team. Since it is a rebuilding year, we would like to get the team prepared for the next couple years,” Birky said.

The girls' are determined to return to the state meet this year,  hoping to win a state title.

The boys' and girls' open the season April 2 against Waterloo Columbus. The boys will play at Xavier,  the girls in Waterloo.