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Jaguars oust Council Bluffs Lincoln, then fall to No. 5 Johnston in regional final

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Ankeny Centennial’s Ara Lofgen hits a shot during her No. 3 singles match against Council Bluffs Lincoln’s Kylie Hansen in the semifinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Tuesday at Johnston. Lofgren posted a 6-4, 7-5 win to help the Jaguars to a 5-0 victory. (Photo by Dan Holm)

The Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis team advanced to the final of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Tuesday before dropping a 5-1 decision at fifth-ranked Johnston.

The Jaguars, who earlier posted a 5-0 win over Council Bluffs Lincoln in the semifinal round, finished with a 9-4 record.

“Although our team season is over, I am very proud of the girls this season,” said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. “They took a team with only one varsity returner and ended with a 9-4 record! It is exciting to see what the future holds for Centennial girls’ tennis. Now we look forward to Esther (Guan)’s run at state!”

Guan, who will play in the Class 2A state singles tournament on May 27-28 at Waukee Northwest, provided Centennial’s lone win against Johnston. She rallied for a 4-6, 6-0, 1-0 (2) victory over Allie Christensen at the No. 1 position.

Ankeny Centennial’s Esther Guan returns a shot during her No. 1 singles match against Council Bluffs Lincoln’s Jeena Carle. Guan posted a 6-2, 6-2 decision. (Photo by Dan Holm)

“In the afternoon against Johnston, we knew we would have to fight a lot harder,” Gustafson said. “Esther had an amazing comeback. She turned the match around and took control of the points.”

Johnston won the other five singles matches in straight sets to advance to the state team tournament. The Dragons (9-2) will play No. 2 Valley (13-1) in the opening round on Saturday at Ankeny at 9 a.m.

On Tuesday morning, the Jaguars got singles victories from Guan, Ara Lofgren, Morgan DenBeste, Madison Price and Gabby Mixdorf to sweep Council Bluffs Lincoln. The Lynx finished at 17-7.

“The girls came out with fire and a tenacity to win,” Gustafson said. “They wanted to move on to the next round and got it done quickly! Madison had a great day. She was active on the court and was fighting for every point. Gabby also stepped in at the last minute due to an illness, and she played tremendously. We are thankful she stepped in when we needed her.”

Here are the match-by-match results:

Ankeny Centennial’s Morgan DenBeste hits a forehand return during her No. 4 singles match against Council Bluffs Lincoln’s Ella Boes. She posted a 7-5, 6-2 victory. (Photo by Dan Holm)

Centennial 5, Council Bluffs Lincoln 0

Singles–Guan beat Carle, 6-2, 6-2; Benkufsky vs. Maisel, DNF; Lofgren beat Hansen, 6-4, 7-5; DenBeste beat Boes, 7-5, 6-2; Price beat Dix, 6-1, 6-0; Mixdorf beat Karkliniece, 6-2, 6-1.

Johnston 5, Centennial 1

Singles–Guan (AC) beat Christensen, 4-6, 6-0, 1-0 (2); Svitashev beat Benkufsky, 6-0, 6-1; Monson beat Lofgren, 6-2, 6-0; Gano beat DenBeste, 6-0, 6-3; Hendricksen beat Price, 6-4, 6-2; Blackford beat Mixdorf, 6-0, 6-0.