The 2023 season is here with the first practices getting started around the state last week and the first matches set for the end of the month. Another edition of the high school tennis season is about to commence. In what is one of the most exciting times of the year, players, coaches and teams across the state are doing their best to get practices in before competition begins. Each season brings a new wave of talent and brings a new set of players who have breakout seasons. This year will be a little bit different as I will provide a separate season preview article for each division, starting with 1A Girls.
Key Dates:
March 10 - First Practices
March 27 - First day of matches
May 10 - Individual regionals
May 13 - Team regionals begin
May 26-27 - Individual state tournament
May 30 - Team final four
Storylines
Will Columbus extend their state leading record of team titles to 22? A number of starters gone to graduation and the addition of freshman Kate Holton make for a fun upcoming spring for the Sailors.
Brand new individual state champions will be crowned in May. 2022 state singles and doubles champions of Ella Tallet, Courtney Carstensen and Ally Burger the former Xavier Saints, have all departed leaving room for opportunities across the state this year.
Columbus and Xavier have combined to win the team state titles since 2013. Can a public school claim the 1A glory this year for the first time since Camanche in 2012?
Team State Title Contenders
Columbus Catholic: 2022 ended in the Sailors capturing their 21st team state title, a state record that is more than double the next programs (IC West Boys 10, Dubuque Wahlert Boys 10). It is almost impossible to count Columbus out from making the final four, and have made 35 team state tournament appearances in their program history. Out of a potential preseason top 10 rankings coming up, the Sailors have arguably lost the most experience and starters (next to Xavier) moving into this season. They do return a core group in Sophia Fain, Alli Hagness and Avery Hogan who have been key members of the team the last number of years, along with promising freshman Kate Holton.
Assumption: Coming off one of their best season, Davenport Assumption returns nearly their entire lineup going into the 2023 campaign. The Knights finished 2022 matching their best finish in program history that they achieved two other times in 2006 and 2013, with a third place showing at the state tournament. Allison Halligan and Ella Dilulio posted a state doubles runner-up result last spring and along with Mary Rolfstad, will lead Assumption and their quest to rewrite their record books and punch their ticket to the state title match. First year coach Stephanie Bush (former Knight) comes into a highly touted team in 2023, how far can she lead this team into May?
Spirit Lake: One of the best seasons in a while for Spirt Lake resulted in a 4th place finish for the Indians a year ago. Led by the 2022 4th place singles tournament finisher Catherine Straus, Spirit Lake is one of two teams that will start the season in the top 10 that return their entire starting lineup. The biggest piece that hurts this team is they don't really play any teams out of conference. Although they played Columbus in the regular season last year, this team should really look to beef up their schedule, otherwise they may not get back to the state title match for the first time since 2005.
Other teams to watch: Clarinda, Central Dewitt, Xavier
Players to Watch
Emily Blom - Pella
Catherine Straus - Spirit Lake
Sophia Fain - Columbus
Alli Hagness - Columbus
Lanee Olsen - Lewis Central
Mary Rolfstad - Assumption
Mayson Hartley - Clarinda
Ella Dilulio - Assumption
Kate Holton - Columbus
Avery Link - Xavier
There will be no defending state champions headlining the 2023 season, thanks to the departures of the Xavier trio and singles state champion Ella Tallet, along with two-time state doubles champions Ally Burger and Courtney Carstensen. I don't think there is an overwhelming favorite entering the 2023 season for either singles or doubles, meaning hopefully a really competitive tournament this year. Ella Dilulio and Allison Halligan of Davenport Assumption both return for the Knights this spring and finished runner-up in doubles a season ago. Seniors, and third place singles finisher Alli Hagness is back for the Columbus Sailors, as well as Spirit Lake's Catherine Straus is also back placing 4th last year. Pella's Emily Blom returns for her junior season after strong freshmen and sophomore campaigns. I think this season is going to be full of some surprises, and a competitive finish to the year in a couple of months. Who has been out playing all winter, playing various tournaments around the state and midwest, getting practice matches and sets in over the last several months? I expect the full-time tennis players to rise to the top as the spring progresses and show why towards the end of May and early June. With so many new faces (both players and coaches) this year, buckle up for a fun season that I think is wide open on the individuals side!
Team State Prediction
SF: Columbus def. Xavier
SF: Assumption def. Spirit Lake
F: Assumption def. Columbus
Singles State Champion Prediction
Alli Hagness, Columbus
Doubles State Champions Prediction
Ella Dilulio/Allison Halligan, Assumption
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