By Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – Abby Jans couldn’t get Saturday’s loss to Cedar Rapids Washington out of her mind fast enough.

Jans dropped her singles and doubles matches against the Warriors as West High had an 11-match winning streak to start the season snapped with a 6-3 loss in cold, miserable conditions.

“Saturday was a letdown for all of us,” Jans said. “The weather was horrible, it was so cold, it’s just one of those days you don’t want to think about again.”  

Three days after the loss that she doesn’t want to remember Jans helped West High pick up a win she will never forget.

Jans picked up wins at both singles and doubles to help West High to a 6-3 win over City High on Tuesday at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex.  

The win was the first for West High against its cross-town rival since 2013 and improved the Women of Troy to 12-1 on the season and 9-1 in Mississippi Valley Conference play.

“It was incredible because this is one of the things I worked towards,” Jans said. “Being able to go out and get a win against our rival, even though some of them are my best friends, this is something I will remember forever.”

The lone senior in the West High lineup, Jans played a central role in turning her senior night match into a win.

Jans earned the first singles victory of her career against City High with a 10-4 win over Amelia Prybil at number three singles.

She teamed with Emma Koch to record the match-clinching win at number one doubles, a 10-5 decision over the City High team of Lucy Wagner and Bihotza James.  

“I’m really happy for her,” West High coach Amie Villarini said. “She is so deserving of everything, she has worked really hard to get where she is and I’m so proud of her.”

The win by Jans at number three singles improved her season record to 9-1 and helped West High take a 4-2 lead over the Little Hawks after singles play.  

Kaily Speer, Jessica Moonjely and Vivian Mitchell all added singles wins for West High.

Jans and Koch locked up the win with their victory at number one doubles.

“This was my first time we have beat them my entire time here,” Jans said. “These wins were insanely memorable for me my senior year.”

City High got singles wins from Bihotza James and Kelsey Law while dropping to 6-6 on the season and 6-3 in MVC play.

James remained unbeaten against MVC competition and improved to 10-2 on the season with a 10-7 win over Emma Koch at number one singles.

“I think she is playing really well,” Pedersen said. “She knows what she needs to do and how she needs to play. I would say she is on track.”

Law defeated Meg Moreland 10-7 at number six singles and teamed with Carolyn Carter to earn a 10-8 win over Vivian Mitchell and Moreland at number three doubles.

“They are a very good team and I thought we really competed,” Pedersen said. “We had a lot of close matches, a lot of matches we were in.”

West High 6, City High 3

Singles

1. Bihotza James (ICH) def. Emma Koch 10-7

2. Kaily Speer (ICW) def. Lucy Wagner 10-3

3. Abby Jans (ICW) def. Amelia Prybil 10-4

4. Jessica Moonjely (ICW) def. Mary Liebig 10-2

5. Vivian Mitchell (ICW) def. Carolyn Carter 10-7

6. Kelsey Law (ICH) def. Meg Moreland 10-7

Doubles

1. Koch/Jans (ICW) def. James/Wagner 10-5

2. Speer/Moonjely (ICW) def. Prybil/Liebig 10-2

3. Carter/Law (ICH) def. Mitchell/Moreland 10-8