Kennedy’s Pedersen stays focused, composed headed into tennis regionals

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Kennedy girls' tennis coach Erin Seely admits when it comes to motivating Jessica Pedersen, there's not a lot the standout sophomore needs.

'Her composure is just like nothing I've ever seen before,” Seely said. 'There's no need to take a timeout with her. The minute she puts her racket up (underneath her chin) ... I can tell that she's going through her mind every single point or a mistake she's made and she doesn't make it again.”

Pedersen, who placed third in state doubles last season as a freshman, will attempt to qualify for state singles in a Class 2A regional Thursday at Bettendorf. If successful, she would join her older sister, Jackie (2009-11), as state qualifiers in singles and doubles for the Cougars.

'I'm going to play my best,” Pedersen said. 'Whatever happens, happens.”

Graduation claimed four of the Cougars' top six singles' players from last year's 11-4 squad and, through the roster turnover, the one constant has been Pedersen at No. 1 singles. Despite an excellent freshman season that garnered first team all-MVC Mississippi Division honors, Pedersen felt she was hampered by normal freshman nerves - understandable given the competition at No. 1 singles - and vowed to make changes she hopes will serve her well in postseason play.

'This year I want to come in with a fresh, new mindset,” Pedersen said. 'I've changed a lot. Not necessarily emotionally, but just mind-wise. I'm just trying to change a lot of that.”

An additional hindrance has been a right shoulder injury sustained earlier this season. While Pedersen continues to battle through the muscle soreness, she admits to a significant drop in serve velocity.

Any ill effects have certainly not shown up in her on-court results, however. Pedersen has won 10 of 12 No. 1 singles' matches this season.

'She's just so focused,” Seely said. 'She always wants to play the best (opponents).”

It's the type of focus which, while still just a sophomore, has painted a very clear picture of what life holds for Pedersen following high school. A future which - surprisingly or not to those that know her best - doesn't include college tennis.

'I'm thinking about going to the University of Dallas, a Catholic school,” the home-schooled Pedersen said. 'Meet a lot of nice people down there, maybe major in theology. Ultimately, I want to become a missionary.”

Pedersen and Kennedy will be joined in Bettendorf by a resurgent Cedar Rapids Prairie squad featuring sisters Vale and Magui Caro, who are 12-1 in doubles play this season.

In other 2A regionals, Iowa City High junior Eve Small will attempt to become a three-time state singles qualifier at Ottumwa against fellow area schools Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Linn-Mar and Iowa City West. Cedar Rapids Washington is at Waterloo West.

Waterloo Columbus hosts two separate 1A regionals today. Marion and Maquoketa will compete in Region 6, while Cedar Rapids Xavier is grouped with Independence/East Buchanan, Mount Vernon, South Tama and Western Dubuque. Decorah and Oelwein are at Waverly-Shell Rock.

Play in all regionals begins at 9 a.m.