Only one more win separates the Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis team from its first trip to the Class 2A state team tournament.
The Jaguars advanced to the regional final with a 5-2 victory over Council Bluffs Lewis Central in the semifinals on Saturday at Urbandale. A win by the No. 1 doubles team of Alyssa Lewton and Alli Gustafson secured the triumph, which raised Centennial’s record to 8-5.
Lewton and Gustafson also won their singles matches in straight sets.
“Alyssa put on the pressure and made very strategic moves,” said Centennial coach Emily Phommachack. “And Alli kept her opponent moving and kept her deep.”
The loss ended Lewis Central’s season. The Titans finished 4-4.
Centennial was slated to play Urbandale (15-1) later on Saturday, but the match was postponed due to rain. It has been rescheduled for Monday at 4:30 p.m.
The Jaguars will be looking to avenge a 10-1 loss at Urbandale on April 13.
Here are the match-by-match results:
Centennial 5, C.B. Lewis Central 2
Singles–Lewton (AC) beat Moen, 6-3, 6-3; A. Gustafson (AC) beat Driver, 6-1, 6-1; P. Rodenburg (LC) beat Miller, 6-4, 6-1; Nisius (AC) beat Davis, 6-2, 6-1; Korner (LC) beat Nemmers, 2-6, 6-1, 1-0 (6); Vandeloo (AC) beat K. Rodenburg, 6-1, 6-1.
Doubles–Lewton/A. Gustafson (AC) beat Moen/Davis, 6-3, 6-0; Miller/Nisius (AC) vs. Driver/P. Rodenburg, 6-2, DNF; Nemmers/Vandeloo (AC) vs. Korner/K. Rodenburg, 6-4, DNF.