Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – Eli Young couldn’t wait to get back on the tennis court.

After dropping the Class 2A state title doubles match in straight sets as a sophomore in 2019 Young was anxious for another shot at a state title in 2020.

That opportunity never materialized.

The coronavirus pandemic cancelled the entire spring sports season in 2020 wiping away an opportunity for Young and his West High tennis teammates to contend for state titles.

While the wait has been longer than he would have liked, Young is headed back to the state individual tournament this time as a singles player.

“Eli would text our thread and say, ‘the season starts three months from today’,” West High coach Mitch Gross said. “I think with all the seniors around this state in all sports that lost their season last year there is an extra level of motivation and that has been Eli this year. He just wants to make this season worth everything.”

The year away from high school tennis was disappointing for Young who reached the state doubles tournament each of his first two seasons.

Young teamed with Brad DiLeo to finish seventh at the 2A state meet in doubles as a freshman and was runner-up the following year with teammate Sasha Chackalackal.

During his first two seasons Young also helped West High to a runner-up finish at the team championships in 2018 and a 2A state title in 2019.

Throughout last spring Young never relented on his goal to add to those title counts.

“I expected us to again be in the state champion and contend in both singles and doubles,” Young said. “I think we’ve continued to work on that goal every single day.

So far Young has made every moment count in his final prep season.

The senior emerged early as a force in singles play emerging from a group of three returning players to earn the nod at number one singles after playing number four singles as sophomore.

“We were anticipating a pretty rigorous early season process and it didn’t turn out to be that way because Eli dominated from the get go,” Gross said. “In the early part of the season no one could beat Eli and he really solidified himself.”

Young has blossomed as a singles player this season going 11-1 in the number one spot during the regular season.

He advanced to the state individual tournament for the third time in three tries and the first time as a singles player with a title at the district meet last week.

“Singles you have no one else to rely on and it is a constant battle each time,” Young said. “I am prepared my senior year to take on the challenge.”

Young (14-1) defeated Zarren Kirubakaran of Ottumwa and Brendon Hale of Burlington both 6-0, 6-0 to reach the district final where he edged teammate Jayden Shin 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2 in the district title match.

“He does everything well but he doesn’t have that thing that you say is his go to and he doesn’t really have a weakness,” Gross said of Young. “It’s just high-level consistency.”

Young may not have had a junior season last spring but he didn’t allow that to keep him from improving.

In fact, the year away from high school tennis allowed Young time to work on developing as a singles player.

“Singles is difficult because you are all by yourself,” Young said. “You are able to lean on your partner when you play doubles and helps with some comfort. The year allowed me to gain confidence in my game and be more independent on the court.”

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