April 15...April 15 snow is on the ground every where in Iowa. The start of the 2018 season has been a rough go for teams across the state as the weather seems to not want to get even a little warm. Even so, we still deal with the conditions we have and continue to play tennis. A few weeks in this spring, there has not been a whole lot of surprises results wise (at least on my end). I would now like to take a brief look into some matches to watch for this week.
2A Boys:
Valley vs Ames: A top 10 battle between two longtime mainstays in 2A boys tennis. Is a CIML title on the line between these two teams? It may be hard to tell with Ames taking a loss to Waukee last week, but what a great opportunity here for the Little Cyclones. Valley has proved to have a deep roster so far this year, with a little bit of growing pains at the top of the lineup. Tim Ellis a singles state favorite should have no problem at the #1 singles spot. As for the rest of the Ames squad, can they match the depth of the Tigers?
Prediction: Valley def Ames 9-2
Valley vs Dowling: The 2nd top 10 matchup for Valley in one week comes at the hands of crosstown rival, Dowling Catholic. Dowling has breezed through the early part of their schedule and will have a crack at Linn-Mar to start the week before taking on Valley. David Lu the top player for Dowling is one to watch out for and will get a nice match with whoever Valley has at 1 that day. Dowling has a stronger top half of the lineup and could cause some trouble for the struggling top half of Valley. Valley again has been a perennial power for as long as we can remember, and has too much depth for Dowling this time.
Prediction: Valley def Dowling 7-4
Linn-Mar vs Waukee, Dowling and CR Wash: Big week for the Lions, taking on 3 top 10 teams. A lot of individual matches to look out for during these meets.
David Lu (Dowling) vs Luke VanDonslear (Linn-Mar)
Ty Sherman (Wash) vs Luke VanDonslear (Linn-Mar)
Rami Scheetz (Wash) vs Ben Hediger (Linn-Mar)
Sherman/Scheetz (Wash) vs Hediger/Lucas Huffman (Linn-Mar)
Noah Burmeister of Waukee against VanDonslear is another good match. VanDonslear will have his work cut out for him this week with lots of big time matchups. Nonetheless, I think the veteran Linn-Mar group continues their winning ways.
Prediction: Linn-Mar def Waukee 9-2
Prediction: Linn-Mar def Dowling 10-1
Prediction: Linn-Mar def Wash 6-3
2A Girls
Pleasant Valley vs Clinton: Defending state champions from Pleasant Valley have extended their winning streak into 2018 so far this season. State singles contender Lily Feldman has led the charge for the Spartans. Clinton has historically been a solid team but I do not seem them beating PV this year.
Prediction: PV def Clinton 6-3
Valley vs Ames: A matchup of the undefeated, Valley and Ames will go head to head. Freshman sensation Arunadee Fernando of Ames will have her first shot at a big meet in her young high school career. Valley began the year with a nice hard fought win against Waukee. They do not have a premier player at the top of their lineup, but their depth is what keeps them in most meets.
Prediction: Ames def Valley 7-4
Johnston vs Dowling: A meet that may end up being very close. Dowling the 2017 team runner-up took a close loss to Urbandale earlier this season and Johnston fell to Urbandale 2-9. Johnston does have a nice win over Waukee up to this point. Dowling has some veteran players who have been around the block, and that could be the difference maker.
Prediction: Dowling def Johnston 6-5
1A Boys
Kuemper Catholic vs Boone: This could be the matchup of the week on the boys side. Kuemper had a historically season in 2017 with a top 4 finish. However this year, KC has taken a loss to Atlantic, not a team that I thought they would have trouble with. On the other side, Boone has started their year strong with some dominating wins. If the weather cooperates, this will be an exciting one.
Prediction Boone def Kuemper Catholic 5-4
1A Girls
Fairfield vs Fort Madison: Fairfield returns a state singles qualifier in Anatta Charoenkul and also added powerhouse freshman Yana Gaskall. These two might make up the toughest 1-2 singles spots in 1A. I honest do not know too much about Fort Madison, but they have had some nice wins so far this year.
Prediction Fairfield def Fort Madison 6-3
Columbus Catholic vs Waverly-Shell Rock, CR Xavier: Columbus Catholic has been a dynasty, and they showed the state why with another state title last season. A team state participant in WSR will be a good matchup for both teams. CC returns a very solid group from last year. CR Xavier had a convincing win over Dubuque Wahlert earlier this year who was a state participant as well. WSR and CR Xavier are going to be hungry to take out the top dogs.
Prediction CC def WSR 6-3
Prediction CC def CR Xavier 6-3
Thanks again for following Iowa HS Tennis! Week 2 team power rankings are set to come out Wednesday this week, lots of good results so far. Hoping to introduce a new addition with individual singles rankings (2A Boys to start and see how it goes!) Snow, please, please, please go away.
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