Williams wraps up season on state stage

ANKENY ? Karley Williams mustn?t care much for the term ?sophomore slump,? because the Trojan instead had a breakthrough second season punctuated by a trip to the Class 1A individual tennis tournament.

And although Williams didn?t come up with a win in her state debut Thursday, head coach Heidi Grunwald said it was a good day for the sophomore. Williams bowed out with a pair of losses in the opening rounds, falling 6-0, 6-0 to Independence senior Jenna Wilkinson in the first round and 6-3, 6-0 to Dubuque Wahlert senior Courtney Schneider in consolation.

Grunwald noted jitters might have played a role in Williams? opening round loss.

?[The competition] really wasn?t much different than what she?s used to. She can play with a lot of them. She just had a real tough first game,? Grunwald said.

After struggling to the first-round loss, which took place outdoors at the Ankeny Tennis Complex, Williams had the tough task of turning right around to face fourth-seeded Schneider, who had been upset by Ons Souissi of Glenwood in her own opener.

Still, Williams didn?t back down.

With her second match forced indoors to the Knapp Center at Drake University due to the weather, the sophomore jumped out to a quick lead. Williams rolled to two straight game wins and led Schneider 3-2 midway through the first set.

?She held right with her and played that game well. It was encouragement for her,? said Grunwald.

The encouragement could only go so far, however, as Schneider caught fire in the second half of the set. The more experienced senior reeled off 10 straight games, winning the first set 6-3 and the second 6-0, to close out Williams? season.

Grunwald also said the sky is the limit going forward for the budding sophomore, who was the Trojans? No. 2 all season and its No. 6 as a freshman.

?I think she?s a real go-getter. She?s a real fighter,? the coach said. ?And I think she has a good chance of making state again next year if she continues to work as hard as she has been.?