Conference: CIML
Coach: Dustin Rhoads
Twitter Handle: @Amesgirlstennis
Nickname: Little Cyclones
2017: 13-4, 4th at team state
State Champions from '09-'12, the Ames Girls are eying their first state title since the four year stretch that ended six years ago. The Little Cyclones may be one of the early favorites to claim the team championship in 2018. Ames returns all of their top 7 players including 2x state qualifiers Lauren Couves and Jamie Zhang, along with the new addition of freshman sensation Arunadee Fernando. Fernando will most likely take over the 1 singles spot this season and have a chance to compete for a state singles title with the likes of Lily Feldman (PV), Davi Patterson (Boone), and defending state champ Emilia Porubcin (Bettendorf). With an experienced squad, Ames is ready to repeat as CIML Central champions and make it back to team state for the 12th consecutive year and potentially bringing the trophy back home.
Schedule Analysis: A big meet for Ames this year is with Dowling Catholic in late April. Dowling took the meet 7-4 last year and finished runner-up as a team. This meet can be pivotal for the Little Cyclones this year and may tell us if they are title contenders. Ames should be fine with the rest of their schedule and well-prepared heading into post season at the end of May.
Best Case Scenario: Reaches state for the 12th straight year and captures a championship.
Worst Case Scenario: Another top 4 finish, the Little Cyclones can't overcome Pleasant Valley, IC West and/or Dowling Catholic.
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