State experience gives Shenandoah's Hansen a memorable finish, Mather motivation for more
It was the last Shenandoah tennis experience for senior Ali Hansen, and it came at the state tournament.
Hansen, who was making her state debut, teamed up with junior Lyla Mather, who was appearing at state for the second time, in the doubles draw at the Class 1A Individual State Tennis Tournament Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Waukee, and finished 0-2.
The Shenandoah duo lost 6-2, 6-0 second-seed Reagan De Jong and Addison Namminga of Pella in the first round. That dropped them into the consolation bracket of the 16-team field, where they lost 6-1, 6-3 to Nisha Koneru and Claire Mier of Dubuque Wahlert, ending their tournament.
Shenandoah senior Ali Hansen (left) and junior Lyla Mather (right) show off their state tournament medals after competing Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Class 1A Individual State Tournament in Waukee.
“The state experience was really cool,” Hansen said. “We got to play some teams we haven’t played before, and it was amazing to see how I was one of 48 girls to make it to this level.”
“I had a lot of fun at state this year with all the preparations and then going to play is always a great experience,” Mather added. “We came in knowing there would be some really good competition, so we tried some new things that helped build our confidence and improve our skills.”
Hansen and Mather both felt they played well over the course of their two matches, against tough opponents.
“We had a lot of good rallies with the other teams that sometimes just didn’t end in our favor,” Mather said. “The scores definitely don’t represent how we played. We tried to not get down on ourselves when we made a mistake, or the other team hit a good shot.”
Hansen added she “felt like we really clicked as a team.”
Mather returns next season to lead the Mustangs and said now being a two-time state qualifier is big as she looks ahead to one final season in the program.
“I plan on playing a lot in the offseason,” Mather said, “giving me the best chance to make it to state and play at my best potential. These last two years with state experience will help me with my confidence and I hope to greatly improve.”
While Mather and the rest of this year’s varsity team at Shenandoah are set to return next season, Hansen exits as the program’s only senior.
“It was really satisfying to finish my tennis career with a state appearance,” Hansen said. “This has been a goal I have had my whole high school career, and it was a good way for it to end.”
“The Shenandoah tennis program has meant a lot to me,” Hansen added. “I feel like I have grown so much since my freshman year. All my coaches have helped me to become the best player that I can be and I have met a lot of new friends over the years from the team.”
It was a big finish for Hansen, after breaking into the varsity lineup, playing mainly No. 4 singles as a sophomore, she was the No. 3 player on last year’s senior-laden team before making the move to No. 1 as a senior. Hansen and Mather won this season’s Atlantic Tournament title and were regional runners-up to earn a state berth.
Shenandoah junior Lyla Mather smashes the ball back to her opponent during her singles win Wednesday, Sept. 30, during a regional semifinal dual in Red Oak against Clarinda.
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Shenandoah junior Lyla Mather and senior Ali Hansen on advancing to state tennis
