Trojan tennis on to state

FAIRFIELD — Neither rain or shine could stop the Fairfield girls tennis team from reaching their destiny. On Saturday, the Trojans took on a hungry Davenport Assumption team in a meet moved to the indoor Eyre Tennis Center.

By the time they walked out the doors, they were state-bound in Class 1A.

“It is really huge for our program,” said senior Olivia Jones. “We’ve always had a really successful tennis team, and it’s really fun to be a part of that team this year.”

Jones was as clutch as they come in her No. 6 singles match. The Trojans were down 3-2, in the race to five points, in danger of getting their backs pinned against the wall. The senior defeated Assumption’s No. 6 player in straight sets, and the meet was tied with three doubles matches to go.

No. 1 Yana Gaskell and No. 2 Tess Paton scored singles wins for the Trojans as well.

“We knew that we had to win at least three of those singles matches because our No. 1 and 2 doubles are really strong,” Jones said. “After seeing Yana and Tess both win theirs, I knew we needed one more.”

Gaskell and Nellie Higdon cruised in the No. 1 doubles match, beating the top Assumption team in straight sets to put the Trojans one point away, at 4-3. Only two games remained, the No. 2 doubles match, featuring Paton and Abby Schaefer, and the No. 3 doubles match, featuring Jones and Lauren Kraemer.

Paton and Schaefer were able to start their doubles match while Jones was still wrapping up the final singles contest. The first set went down to the wire, tied 6-6. Paton and Schaefer pulled out a thrilling 7-5 tiebreaker victory to close out the first set. In the second, it was all Trojans, as the duo won 6-0 to take the doubles match and clinch a 5-3 victory.

“It was very relieving,” Paton said. “I knew it was going to be a really close match, and they were playing really well.”

As soon as the final point fell, the celebration was on. Jones and Kraemer came sprinting over from their match, and Trojan players and fans were finally able to let loose.

“That was just the best feeling,” Shaefer said. “I dropped my racket and ran over and hugged Tess. It’s just very emotional, and I was so proud of every single person on the team.”

Among those letting out a deep breath was Trojan head coach Heidi Grunwald, who will take her squad back to the state tournament after making it in 2019.

“I think I had the nerves,” Grunwald said. “I was up at 3 a.m. and didn’t go back to bed.“

There won’t be much time to sleep before the Trojans get their next test. Fairfield will meet Pella Christian at the neutral site of Oskaloosa in Monday’s state quarterfinals.

“I think if we’re on our game, we can beat Pella Christian,” Grunwald said. “Hopefully we can make it to the final four.“