The girls are set to get their postseason competition underway on Monday, beginning with the individual regionals hosted at 16 sites across the state. 420 players on 70 teams will begin their quest for singles and doubles state tournament berths, and ultimately, a chance at a championship.
Class 1A Tidbits
Host: Spencer
Maybe a potential site where a lot of opportunities are in front of a lot of teams. Bishop Heelan headlines this regional as the only top 10 team. Lauren Ellis of Spencer is a name to watch, otherwise this is a pretty wide open field.
Host: Atlantic
A fairly competitive region here at Atlantic with the likes of St. Albert and Lewis Central. The Titans are the only top 10 team to reside at this site, and despite that, I am not sure there are any heavy favorites going into postseason play to secure state tournament berths. Ballard's top ten ranked Kaitlyn Zugay should be the frontrunner in singles. She has had a great season being undefeated up to this point.
Host: Pella
Pella and Pella Christian seem to always be paired, and sometimes co-host a regional, that seems to be the case again. Emily Blom of Pella has been a multiple time state qualifier career and will be looking to get back to it again. Clarinda and Red Oak joins #2 Pella as the top 10 teams to appear in this regional. Janie Maasdam of nearby Knoxville is a player to watch as well. Potentially the most loaded region this year, will the Dutch flex their muscle and show why they are a state title contender?
Host: Saydel
We can just about pencil in the Saints of Xavier running away with all the state tournament berths on the road in Saydel. Gabi Fleming will presumably be going singles and was my preseason favorite to win the singles crown. Keep an eye out for how the rest of the entries are for Coach Foxhoven's Xavier squad. North Polk is the next team to watch, and with the right draw, could get a doubles pair in.
Host: Columbus
In what is probably the most down year Columbus has had in recent memory, they end up with a favorable regional to get multiple bids to state. Kate Holton is ranked #2 in the state currently and has had a good season up to this point. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if Coach Will has her in the doubles field with Fleming from Xavier being the heavy favorite on the singles side. I don't think other teams here are strong enough to make a massive impact in this regional.
Host: Decorah
#4 ranked player in the state, Adria Neymeyer of Aplington-Parkersburg headlines the Decorah regional. The host Vikings are the only ranked team to appear here as well. Neymeyer is the presumed frontrunner for singles, and after that, Decorah would probably be looking to get a few bids in.
Host: Camanche
Central Dewitt brings in their top four ranked team over to Camanche with high aspirations after the best season in their short program history last year. Half of their starting lineup graduated leaving veterans Brooke Bloom, Isabel Pierce and Saydie Roling, who all have a great chance to move on. Will be interesting to see how their entries shake out and which one of those three ends up in singles. Elise Davison of Camanche is a returning state qualifier in her own right and should be in good shape to get back to the state tournament.
Host: Fairfield/Maharishi
The only region with no ranked teams. Not a ton of known data on this one, but Ishita Mukadam is a returning state qualifier from 2023 for Maharishi. She did lose recently to Mount Pleasant's Jana Isanta Vila, who now is a player to watch here. Assumption is way down after a stellar last spring season, but could have a player or two compete for a bid.
Class 2A Tidbits
Host: Waukee NW
Host Northwest and Johnston had a battle in their dual match earlier this season, a meet that would probably be 50/50 if they played ten times. The Wolves have a lot of youngsters in their lineup this year, featuring 4 freshmen that occupy the top four spots if I remember correctly, that also includes top ten ranked Riley Hilton. Johnston is led by veteran senior Allie Christensen who has been to state before. Give me the Dragons and Wolves fighting it out for all the state bids.
Host: Valley
I would pencil in #2 ranked Lexi Moen for the host Tigers winning this regional in singles. After that, it should be the Valley and Centennial show. Centennial has not been having the year they were expecting, and a big blow to them with 2023 state singles runner-up Abbie Peterson out with an injury. Centennial does have a number of returning state qualifiers from a year ago, Samara Peterson, Megan Yuan, Jenna Benkufsky and Ara Lofgren were all in state doubles last spring. Add this with a young but talented Valley squad, fireworks are sure to happen here on Monday.
Host: Norwalk
I'm marking down all Maroon finals at this region for the undisputed #1 Dowling squad.
Host: Marshalltown
This has to be the most competitive and interesting site on Monday. Current #9 Waterloo West, Cedar Falls who just beat Waterloo West, and undefeated Marshalltown. All who have been around that 10-13 range of teams this spring. Assuming Mackenzie Sagers is going singles, I'll put her down as the champ here. After that, West and Marshalltown probably will duke it out for the rest of the bids. Mason City normally has a player or two that can make it far. This is one I will be keeping an eye on next week.
Host: Iowa City West
The singles final should be pretty much locked up and be a showdown between Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Lily Holland and IC West's Maggie Shin, both who are ranked in the top ten currently. After being moved up to 2A, Marion will get its first crack at this level in the postseason. Michaela Goad and Natalee Hartman were top 3 in doubles last spring at the 1A level, I think they have a great opportunity here in Iowa City to get to the 2A state tournament, getting what could be a weaker district doubles field.
Host: Linn-Mar
Defending team champs CR Washington have had an up and down season to say the least. A preseason top 4 team has dropped out of the rankings for the first time in a while. Individually, Katelynn Kock gets to begin her quest for a singles title this spring on Monday at Linn-Mar. Whoever gets lucky to not be on her half of the bracket will have a shot at the other singles qualifying spot. Otherwise, I am expecting Wash/Linn-Mar bids to state.
Host: North Scott
Give me Pleasant Valley claiming 3 of the 4 state bids to go along with North Scott's Madelyn Jepsen in singles.
Host: Clinton
The second most competitive district after Marshalltown in my opinion. Two top ten ranked teams in IC Liberty and Clinton, plus Dubuque Hempstead who has been ranked some this year. Singles final should be Ella Gilbert against Sescie Haan. After that, would expect Liberty to at least get a doubles pair in as well, such as Leela Strand and Vivian Kahler. Would think teams will load up for a chance in doubles with two frontrunners on the singles side.
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