Two Defending State Champions!
Cari Naanep, Johnston - 2018 Singles State Champion Audrey Koch, IC West, - 2018 Doubles State Champion This season we have two players who are back in the state tournament and will be ready to begin their title defense come Wednesday. Cari Naanep of Johnston, 2018 Singles State Champion is back in the singles draw as the #1 seed and the Senior will be trying to make it two in a row. Naanep has breezed through her matches this year and has an undefeated record to show for it. Her closest match was against Arunadee Fernando of Ames where Cari won in a super tiebreaker. These two are most likely on course to clash in the state final on Thursday. In the doubles draw, Audrey Koch and partner Jessica Moonjely from Iowa City West enter as the #1 seed. Audrey, the younger of the Koch sisters will also be defending her state doubles title from 2018, this time with Moonjely as her partner. Audrey won with older sister Emma last year, and Emma also won doubles in 2017. Emma has not been able to play this season due to an ACL injury suffered in the fall. Did I mention these two are great basketball players as well? The Women of Troy are going for their third consecutive doubles title.
The Singles Bracket
Seeds:
1. Cari Naanep - Johnston
2. Arunadee Fernando - Ames
3. Sofia Sackett - Dowling
4. Malina Amjadi - Cedar Falls
Returning 2018 Place winners
Cari Naanep, Johnston - Singles Champion
Arunadee Fernando, Ames - 4th Place Singles
Alli Gustafson, Ankeny Centennial - 6th Place Doubles The defending champ is back for more, Naanep comes into the field as the #1 seed this year where she shouldn't have too many problems reaching the final again. Her closest match was a super tiebreak win over Fernando of Ames during the regular season. With the feel not being quite as strong this year, the path for Naanep and Fernando is pretty set for a state title collision. After these two, Sackett the 3 seed and Amjadi the 4 seed will be looking to advance to the semi-finals. Amjadi the freshman could have a tough second round opponent in Lauren Couves from Ames. That to me will be a match to watch where the senior Couves won't be an easy match for the freshman. Other notable players to keep your eye on include Emma Lassen from CR Jefferson and Caroline Chandler from IC West.
Freshman Newcomers
Mackenzie Klein, Dowling
Malina Amjadi, Cedar Falls
Two of the six freshman in the individual state tournament will be competing in the singles field. Mackenzie Klein from Dowling and Malina Amjadi (4 seed) are set to make their state debuts this Wednesday. Quite frankly, I do not know too much about these two, except that Klein was mostly in the four singles spot and Amjadi was in the three singles spot for their respective teams. The funny thing about these two players, is that they get to play each other first round! Sadly, once the first round is done, only one of these freshman will remain in the main draw.
First Round Matches to Watch
Mackenzie Klein, Dowling vs #4 Malina Amjadi, Cedar Falls
Caroline Chandler, IC West vs Jamie Knox, Cedar Falls
Lydia Kennedy, Bettendorf vs Alli Gustafson, Ankeny Centennial
The Doubles Bracket
Seeds:
1. Jessica Moonjely/Audrey Koch - IC West
2. Kaylyn Chleborad/Allison Szalay - Dowling
3. Krisha Keeran/Mira Keeran - Cedar Falls
4. Brooke Dannefeldt/Mylea Cole - Urbandale
Returning 2018 Place Winners
Audrey Koch, IC West - Doubles Champion
Jessica Moonjely, IC West - 8th Singles
Brooke Dannefeldt, Urbandale - 3rd Doubles
Mylea Cole, Urbandale - 3rd Doubles
Caitlyn Hanulikova, Ames - 4th Doubles
Chloe Wilson, Ames - 4th Doubles
Kayla Nutt, Pleasant Valley - 7th Doubles The doubles side is full of experienced and veteran players to form a deep draw. Half of the 2018s doubles champion duo, the 3rd and 4th place pairs return to the field. Audrey Koch now paired with Jessica Moonjely come in as the #1 seed and undefeated on the year. Moonjely has done an outstanding job this season stepping in for the injured Emma Koch at #1 singles and doubles. The Women of Troy will be a favorite for this years title. Urbandale's pair of Dannefeldt and Cole return to state for a third time I believe as a tandem. They have tons of experience together and come in as the #4 seed. Hanulikova and Wilson of Ames finished 4th a year ago and and are going to be a threat coming in unseeded. The other two pairs that are dangerous include the #2 seed of Chleborad and Szalay from dowling and the #3 seed Keeran sisters from Cedar Falls. IC West vs Cedar Falls in the final is my pick.
Freshman Newcomers
Isa Valverde, Dowling
Mira Keeran, Cedar Falls
Caroline Mascardo, IC West
Abby Struble, Clinton Doubles includes the other four freshman who will make their state debut come Wednesday. Valverde, Keeran and Mascardo are also going to be making their final four team debuts on June 1. My favorite to advance the furtherest is Mira Keeran as she plays with her sister Krisha, one of the top players in the state. These two should have a great chance at going deep and actually my pick to take on IC West in the final. Excited to see how these freshman perform in their first state tournament. First Round Matches to Watch
Julia Heil/Dasha Svitashev, Johnston vs Rockie Greenslade/Isa Valverde, Dowling
Kayla Nutt/Lauren Hird, Pleasant Valley vs Vivian Mitchell/Caroline Mascardo, IC West
Kaylee Camp/Abby Struble, Clinton vs Libby Messman/Megan Severson, Waukee
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