Season preview number two, here we go. Maybe the least exciting division in 2024. The 2A girls side could be pretty straightforward all year, especially on the team side. That being said, a few interesting story lines heading into the first week of matches.
Key Dates:
March 11 - First Practices
May 6 - Individual regionals
May 10 - Team regionals begin
May 24-25 - Individual state tournament
May 29 - Team final four
Storylines
2023 singles state runner-up Abbie Peterson, and Ankeny's Kira Smith have elected not to play high school tennis this season. Peterson is a Northern Iowa signee and Smith is training in Florida.
Back on top? Dowling enters 2024 off 3 state finals appearances, and is the heavy favorite to add a 3rd crown in four years.
Cedar Rapids Washington's Katelynn Kock, Omaha signee will most likely be going for the singles title this spring. Kock is a doubles state champion and now team champion as of last season. Could add her name to the record books of players to win all three at the end of the season.
Team State Title Contenders
Dowling Catholic: Coach Chalstrom's squad is my heavy favorite to claim the team title in 2024, and add a third title in four years. A lot of experience returns for the Maroons this spring starting with top player Ava Petersen. I am not quite sure Dowling will have much trouble throughout the season as there are not many teams to match the depth they have. That being said, this program has been at the top of the mountain the last few years, it is a lot harder to stay up there than it is to get there.
Ankeny Centennial: The main story line is former top player Abbie Peterson is not playing. That is a big hit to a program who had their best season in school history a season ago. Not to mention, #2 from last year Esther Guan has graduated, leaving the Jaguars to return the rest of their lineup. Even though the top two have departed, Coach Gustafson's squad has a lot of experience returning as they had 6 players qualify for the singles and doubles state tournaments last spring. Jenna Benkufsky may lead the way early on for Centennial, but look for Samara Peterson, Ara Lofgren and co. to help lead the charge and take another step in state supremacy.
CR Washington: A lot of unknowns for the Warriors this season. The main thing that is known however is Katelynn Kock is back and I would assume would be going for a state singles title this year. A lot of the depth and role players (Zylstra, Palmer) have departed to graduation, so it is unsure on what CR Wash can be capable this year. They are the defending state champs, but look much different here in 2024.
Other teams to watch: Pleasant Valley, Iowa City West
Players to Watch
Katelynn Kock - CR Wash
Ava Petersen - Dowling
Lily Holland - CR Jeff
Ella Gilbert - IC Liberty
Celine Matthews - Mason City
Lexi Moen - Valley
Jenna Benkufsky - Ankeny Centennial
Lauren Masengarb - Pleasant Valley
Jordan Ingram - Pleasant Valley
Grace Frye - Dowling
2A Girls boasts a lot of upper talent in the top parts of the lineups across the state, but seems to lack depth at a lot of places as well. Those are only 10 of many players on the watch list that are out in the high school world this year. Kock will be the favorite for a singles crown this year after claiming a doubles title and doubles runner-up in each of the last two seasons. Doubles seems to be wide open, as mentioned above, there is a lot of strong talent towards to upper parts of the lineups, but less depth than years past. Who will go doubles will be the main question, which makes regional brackets very exciting later on this spring. A lot up in the air on the individuals side, hope everyone enjoys it over the course of the next two plus months!
Team State Prediction
SF: Dowling def. Pleasant Valley
SF: Ankeny Centennial def. Cedar Rapids Washington
F: Dowling def. Ankeny Centennial
Singles State Champion Prediction
Katelynn Kock, CR Washington
Doubles State Champions Prediction
Lauren Masengarb/Jordan Ingram, Pleasant Valley