2022 State Tournament Notes
Locations
2A: Waukee Northwest High School (Waukee, IA)
1A: Hawkeye Tennis and Rec. Center (Iowa City, IA)
Attendance Fees
The IGHSAU is charging an admission fee of $10 per day of the individual state tournament and team state tournament on June 1. I still am not a fan of it, as I have continued to express over the last few years. It will be $10/day. For more information, please visit: https://ighsau.org/news/2022-state-tennis-meet-central/
Live Brackets
IGHSAU as they are great with planning and running their tournaments, paired with Bound for live brackets will be a great resource for all of us that may not be able to make it out to watch!
2A
The Singles Bracket
Defending champion Allison Szalay of Dowling headlines the field this year as the #1 seed. Close behind her? Claire Gu of Valley who opposes Szalay as the #2 seed, and a potential state title rematch from 2021 could be in store for us. Maya Mallavarapu of Cedar Falls and Kira Smith of Ankeny round out the field as the 3 and 4 seeds. Overall there is a lot less high power depth this year compared to last years tournament, and I think it could be pretty straight forward for which four make the semi-finals. Smith's quarter is the most difficult section of the draw where she would face either Masengarb or Hyacinth in the second round and have her work cut out for her. Those three have a pretty good shot at making the semis and setting up a clash with Szalay. What actually may be more interesting is the consolation side of the bracket. The matches on that side should be quite close and competitive where there are a lot of players who could really contend for a 5th place finish. The championship side may turn out to be more chalk.
Seeds
- Allison Szalay, Dowling
- Claire Gu, Valley
- Maya Mallavarapu, Cedar Falls
- Kira Smith, Ankeny
1st Round Match to Watch:
Lauren Masengarb (Pleasant Valley) v Sasha Hyacinth (Waterloo West) - Hyacinth is the defending 1A state singles champion, previously at Columbus Catholic and will be facing a promising sophomore in Masengarb. Both lead their respective teams at the top spot and I believe this will be one of the only competitive matches in the first round. This is half of the most difficult quarter in the draw with freshman Kira Smith of Ankeny most likely awaiting.
Finals Prediction:
#1 Allison Szalay v #2 Claire Gu
The Doubles Bracket
Dowling also holds the top seed in the doubles field with the 2021 runner-up duo of Ava Petersen and Mackenzie Klein. Right on the heels of the team that knocked them out last year in the semi-finals in three sets is Kathryn Zylstra and Katelynn Kock from CR Washington. After these two pairs, I think both Bettendorf and Clinton have some potential tough second rounds ahead for them should round one go as expected. Johnston and Valley will both be tough and that is a great opportunity for these four pairs to get to the semis and guarantee a top 4 finish. Outside of these top couple of duos, there is tremendous opportunities for many other pairs to place.
Seeds
- Ava Petersen/Mackenzie Klein, Dowling
- Kathryn Zylstra/Katelynn Kock, CR Wash
- Elizabeth Alves/Andrea Porubcin, Bettendorf
- Abby Struble/Anna Current, Clinton
1st Round Match to Watch:
Sriya Kalala/Ella Seger (Cedar Falls) v Isa Valverde/Grace Frye - An intriguing first round match here between the regional champs of Cedar Falls and regional runner-up Dowling. A possible close match pits the winner against #2 Wash in the quarterfinals. Toss up for me on this one.
Finals Prediction:
#1 Ava Petersen/Mackenzie Klein v #2 Kathryn Zylstra/Katelynn Kock
1A
The Singles Bracket
There is no clear favorite in the singles field this year and a massive opportunity for someone here to win state. My original thought when I saw the qualifiers is that it could possibly be a finals matchup with Ella Tallet of Xavier and Alli Hagness of Columbus, both who play #3 on their respective teams. Well that can't happen since they are on the same side of the draw. I am also not quite sure about how the seeds shook out either and figured it could be a combo of Rolfstad, Tallett, Hagness, Blom potentially. Hard to tell on these things but either way, this draw is wide open this year. Ladies, go out and get this thing!
Seeds
- Le Yuan Sun, Shenandoah
- Mary Rolfstad, Assumption
- Ella Tallett, Xavier
- Catherine Straus, Spirit Lake
1st Round Match to Watch:
Samantha Tidgren (Kuemper) v Tess Paton (Fairfield) - My pick on the match to watch in the first round, and experienced player in Paton back in the state tournament taking on regional champion Tidgren. Winner of this has a great opportunity at the semis. I'll take Paton and the experience.
Finals Prediction:
#1 Le Yuan Sun v Alli Hagness
The Doubles Bracket
Like 2A, I think the finals could be a rematch of a semi-final match from 2021 with Xavier and Columbus colliding at the end of it. Xavier picked up a three set win over Columbus a year ago in route to a doubles state title and enter this years field as the top seed and defending champions. I think this is their tournament to win or lose. From there I think the rest of the seeds hold and reach the semis. This draw isn't as wide open as the singles draw, but there are a ton of chances for many tandems to place in the top 8.
Seeds
- Ally Burger/Courtney Carstensen, Xavier
- Chloe Butler/Avery Hogan, Columbus
- Allison Narmi/Landry Miller, St. Albert
- Annalise Skrade/Mara Holland, Decorah
1st Round Match to Watch:
Allison Halligan/Ella Dilulio (Assumption) v Taylor Schneider/Abbie Oleson (Spirit Lake) - This clash represents 2 of the 4 final four teams that will be at the state tournament next Wednesday. Could be a grueling match, or could be one sided very quickly. Intrigued who comes out on top here and gets a shot at St. Albert the next round.
Finals Prediction:
#1 Ally Burger/Courtney Carstensen v #2 Chloe Butler/Avery Hogan
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