Ankeny girls’ tennis coach Steve Smith knew it would be difficult for any of his players to qualify for the Class 2A state tournament.
But that didn’t make it any easier for him to watch it unfold.
“Your heart always goes out to your seniors when they don’t qualify in their last chance to make state,” said Smith. “That being said, overall it was a solid performance from our team.”
The Hawkettes competed in a regional singles and doubles tournament on Monday at Norwalk. Top-ranked Dowling Catholic was among the teams in the field, even though the Maroons were without senior Ava Petersen–one of the state’s top players.
Ankeny’s Sophie Schmitz placed fourth in singles. She advanced to the semifinals before dropping a 6-2, 7-5 decision to Scarlett Brown of Des Moines Roosevelt.
“Sophie was a few points from taking the second set, and I think she would have had a good chance to win the third set with the momentum in her favor,” Smith said. “She’s shown all year she’s a state-caliber player.”
Schmitz then lost to Dowling’s Ella Johnson, 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (6), in the third-place match.
Teammate Paige Ford lost to Roosevelt’s Cate Bright, 6-4, 7-6 (5), in the opening round.
“Paige played Roosevelt’s No. 2 singles player very close, even leading in both sets,” Smith said. “She’s really stepped up at the end of the season.”
In doubles, the Ankeny duo of Lilith Francel and Olivia North won their first match before dropping a 6-3, 6-3 decision to Dowling’s Victoria Bakros and Presila Edward. Bakros and Edward eventually lost to teammates Grace Frye and Juju Mauro, 6-3, 6-0, in the finals.
“Despite being unseeded, Liv and Lilith made it tough on Victoria and Presila,” Smith said. “They had them on the ropes a couple of times each set, but Dowling raised its game each time.”
Ankeny’s Mallory DeHaan and Samara Feldhacker also competed in doubles. They fell to Urbandale’s Olivia Cannon and Kyra Kain, 6-3, 7-5, in the first round.
“Mallory and Samara had their chances, too,” Smith said. “They were up 5-4 in the second set.”
The Hawkettes will host Roosevelt in the quarterfinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Friday.