Linn-Mar vs IC West

#1 IC West vs #2 Linn-Mar 

Tuesday April 24, 4pm

*Rankings based on blog power rankings*

The most anticipated matchup of the year. A rematch of last years state title meet, IC West and Linn-Mar meet again. West is looking to continue their decade of dominance in 2A tennis, and Linn-Mar has been the only team (2015) to dethrone the Trojans since Ames in 2011. Here is the match by match analysis:

#1 Singles: Luke VanDonslear (LM) vs Sam Shin (West)

Sophomore sensation Luke VanDonslear will be hungry to continue his strong start in 2018 against junior Sam Shin. VanDonslear did suffer his first loss this season at the hands of Kennedy's Rami Hemaidan but has to goods to turn it on. Shin is another strong player in the junior class that could cause turn the tables for an upset. Prediction: LM 6-2 7-5

#2 Singles: Ben Hediger (LM) vs Sasha Chackalackal (West)

Hediger pulled off a nice win against CR Wash's Scheetz last week in a super tiebreak and helping the Lions to an 8-1 drubbing of the Warriors. Chackalackal first of all is a mouthful to say, but I think the junior is less experience than Hediger at this point. He will get a lot of balls back but at the end of the day may not be aggressive enough. Prediction: LM 6-3 6-2

#3 Singles: Lucas Huffman (LM) vs Jack Wenzel (West)

Wartburg College commit Lucas Huffman has had a nice season so far but will have his hands full against the defending state doubles champion Wenzel. Interesting to see Wenzel slotted at the #3 spot but nonetheless has been a mainstay for the Trojans. Prediction: West 6-4 6-4

#4 Singles: Zach Glanz (LM) vs Eli Young (West)

The first of the two freshman starters for the Trojans brings Eli Young. Young has started strong in his freshman campaign but will have a crack at his first big time match in high school today. Glanz is a nice player for the Lions and this may be a critical match for either team. Prediction: West 3-6 6-2 10-6

#5 Singles: Jack Gertsen (LM) vs Brad DiLeo (West)

The 4 and 5 singles spots will be important matches for both teams. These matchups seem fairly even and could go either way. Both players have been dominating so far this year and each will need to be a spark for their respective team. Prediction: LM 7-5 7-5

#6 Singles: Jackson Eells (LM) vs Mukundan Kasturirangan (West)

Two solid underclass boys will have a battle at the number six singles spot today. The sophomore Eells has had a nice season so far and will have his hands full with the promising newcomer Kasturirangan of the Trojans. Should be a fun one. Prediction: West 6-3 6-3 

#1 Doubles Hediger/Huffman (LM) vs Shin/Chackalackal (West)

Hediger and Huffman are one of the two pairs that were able to take out state doubles chamipnons Jack Wenzel and Cole Schneider ('17). Neither Shin or Chackalackal have been slotted at the one doubles spot until this year and Shin will have to be on his game to put the Trojans in a nice spot. Prediction: LM 6-4 6-3

#2 Doubles VanDonslear/Glanz (LM) vs Wenzel/Kasturirangan

Potentially West's strongest doubles spot, Wenzel and Kasturirangan are going to need to be on their game to beat a good pair in VanDonslear and Glanz. VanDonslear will be the best player on the court, but this is going to take the best TEAM to win. Prediction: LM 7-5 3-6 10-7

#3 Doubles Gertsen/Eells (LM) vs Young/DiLeo

An important spot for both teams in doubles, and a match the meet may very well come down to. Both pairs have been solid this year. Expect this one to be tight. Prediction: West 4-6 6-2 10-5


Final score prediction: Linn-Mar 5-4'

Be sure to check our week 3 power rankings tomorrow and the debut of 2A Boys singles power rankings! There are a lot of good meets today as well as the rest of the week, what an exciting time! Until tomorrow!