By Becky Walz,
Decorah traveled to Waterloo’s Byrnes Park on Saturday to compete in the Top Gun tennis tournament. Three of the teams present in the four-team field competed at the state level in 2021. At the end of the day, the Vikings finished third in the team standings (22) with host Waterloo Columbus leading the teams with 33 points.
Decorah traveled to Waterloo’s Byrnes Park on Saturday to compete in the Top Gun tennis tournament. Three of the teams present in the four-team field competed at the state level in 2021. At the end of the day, the Vikings finished third in the team standings (22) with host Waterloo Columbus leading the teams with 33 points.
How points are awarded
The girl that finishes in first place is determined by total games won against the three competitors in her bracket. The same is true for second, third and fourth. The team with the highest number of games from the singles and doubles play in each bracket is rewarded four points toward the Top Gun Trophy, second receives three, third receives two and fourth receives one.
A review
“We really look forward to competing in the tournament because it allows a player the opportunity to evaluate their game early in the season. With the weather that has so far hampered outdoor play on the courts, playing a combined total of 79 games in singles and doubles on an absolutely beautiful day was all you could ever ask for in your quest to improve. As the day wore on you could see massive improvement in the players’ games along with fatigue,” said Coach Larry Berland.
Three singles players and one doubles team came away with second place finishes. In singles, Kristi Kjome-Johnson at No. 3 singles, Nadia Johnson at No. 4 singles and Allison Pavlovec at No. 6 singles secured second place finishes by pure hustle and determination against superior odds.
“All three set their goals high and came off the courts knowing they did their best to accomplish them. Nadia Johnson and Evon Leitz pulled off an inspired second place finish at number three doubles. Their communication and aggressiveness were fantastic. A real crowd-pleasing display of true grit and definitely a positive start to the season for them,” added Coach Berland.
Busy week ahead
Make up against Oelwein at home Monday, Charles City on the road, Tuesday and LaPorte City-Union on Thursday at home.
Top Gun Tournament team standings
1. Waterloo Columbus 33; 2. Clinton 26; 3. Decorah 22; Ottumwa 8
No. 1 Annalise Skrade (Dec) – third place – lost 2-11 to Chloe Butler (Waterloo Columbus); lost 2-11 to Abby Struble (Clinton); won 7-6 over Kiley Heller (Ottumwa)
No. 2 Mara Holland (Dec) – third place – lost 3-10 to Sophia Fain (Waterloo Columbus); lost 1-12 to Anna Current (Clinton); won 11-2 over Addison Grade (Ottumwa)
No. 3 Kristi Kjome-Johnson (Dec) – second place – won over Alli Hagness (Waterloo Columbus); won 7-6 over Jayden Kissack (Clinton); won 10-3 over Beverly Bishop (Ottumwa)
No. 4 Nadia Johnson (Dec) – second place – lost 0-13 to Avery Hogan (Waterloo Columbus); lost 2-11 to Olivia Bailey (Clinton); won 13-0 over Lily Ades (Ottumwa)
No. 5 Evon Leitz (Dec) – third place – lost 3-10 to Erin Hollen (Waterloo Columbus); lost 4-9 to Sescie Haan (Clinton); won 13-0 over Delanie Handling (Ottumwa)
No. 6 Allison Pavloevec (Dec) – second place – lost 3-10 to Bella Nelson (Waterloo Columbus); won 11-2 over Mairi Cox (Clinton); won 12-1 over Jennifer Davis (Ottumwa)
Doubles
No. 1 Skrade/Holland (Dec) – third place – lost 3-10 to Butler/Hogan (Waterloo Columbus); lost 1-12 to Struble/Current (Clinton); won 11-2 over Heller/Grade (Ottumwa)
No. 2 Kjome-Johnson/Haley Gossman (Dec) – third place – lost 3-10 to Fain/Hagness (Waterloo Columbus); lost 5-8 to Kissack/Hann (Clinton); won 9-4 over Bishop/Ades (Ottumwa)
No. 3 N. Johnson/Leitz (Dec) – second place – lost 5-8 to Hollen/Nelson (Waterloo Columbus); won 10-3 over Bailey/Cox (Clinton); won 12-1 over Handling/Davis (Ottumwa)
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