Sports Xavier High School Xavier boys’ and girls’ tennis teams competeing well
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The Xavier boys’ and girls’ tennis teams are mirroring the success of one another so far this season. Both teams have 4-5 records, placing them just under .500, with many of the losses coming after close matches and tiebreakers. Both teams also have strong leadership, with senior Noah Schmall leading the boys, and seniors Laura Birky and Meggie Gates for the girls. The boys team experienced many and ups and downs, even from before the season started. The teams coach, Rob Martin, resigned after two years of coaching. He helped lead the Saints to a 15-15 record over those two years, and a second place finish in the MVC in 2011. However, the teams new coach, Hannah Jensen stepped in to help continue the teams success. The team started off the season by defeating Waterloo Columbus in an 8-1 victory. The team wavered in their next two meets, where they were defeated by Cedar Falls,
with only one singles victory coming from junior Bill Young, and were swept against Iowa City West. The team did not let this affect them, and went on to win their next two matches. The first was a come from behind victory against Dubuque Hempstead, and the other was a dominating 9-0 victory against Prairie. The latest competitions ended in a split between Dubuque Wahlert and Dubuque Senior. The team hopes to continue the success for the rest of the season, and surprise everyone in the conference. “Everyone has improved as the season has gone on, and we hope to finish strong as we approach districts,” Young said. While the girls have not had the struggles of finding a new coach, their season has been similar to the boys. The team also started the season against Waterloo Columbus, and was defeated 7-2, with a double victory from freshman Jean and Claire
Bouchard. The team experienced a narrow loss to Cedar Falls, losing in a tiebreaker in the final doubles match. The team saw success in the middle of season, defeating Hempstead and Prairie with little difficulty. The most recent match against Kennedy ended in another heartbreak, with the Saints losing 5-4 after the Cougars rallied to win all the doubles matches. The team competed on
Above: Freshman Jean Bouchard returns a ball during tennis practice. Cara Reilly Photo. Tuesday, May 1 against Iowa City High, and the next meet is May 3 against Cedar Rapids Washington. John Richardson Sports Writer
Injured athletes: Xavier Edition The spring athletics season has brought an early end to many athletes’ seasons. The Xpress went behind the scenes to talk with these injured athletes about their setback. The Xpress interviewed a few of the many athletes who have suffered injuries this season.
Ryan P. Milke Assistant Sports Editor
Junior Logan Jones
Junior Lucy Martin
Junior David Kripes
Sport: Track Injury: Pulled Hamstring “I injured my hamstring duirng the varsity 4x1. I go and see an expert to rehab my injury.”
Sport: Soccer Injury: Partially torn PCL
Sport: Track Injury: Pulled muscle in shoulder “I pulled a muscle in my shoulder playing ultimate frisbee. I was a member of the varsity shuttle hurdle team. I was the third member of the hurdle team to get injured after Carter Valentine and Justin Fenske suffered injuries.”
“ I partially tore my PCL during a soccer game this year. I am suppose to be out for about eight weeks. My favorite part about being injured is that I get to leave class early and get to lunch before everyone else.”
Center Point Rd. Cedar Rapids, IA