Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – Amie Villarini got a good look at just how deep her team is on Saturday when West High pulled out a pair of conference wins without its top two singles players in the lineup.

On Monday the Women of Troy gave their coach a reminder of how dominant they are when they have all their weapons.

West High remained unbeaten on the season with an emphatic 8-1 win over West Des Moines Valley (5-2) in the first ever regular season meeting between the two programs on a sunny day in Iowa City.

“When we have everybody together we are dominant,” Villarini said. “Our team is seeing how good we are and it’s building lots of confidence.”

West High was impressive on Monday, securing the victory over the Tigers with five wins during singles play to improve to 7-0 on the season.

As well as the Women of Troy played on Monday it was Saturday in which Villarini got a glimpse of how good her team can be this season.

Playing without its regular number one and two singles players in sisters Emma and Audrey Koch, West High swept a pair of Mississippi Valley Conference matches in Dubuque.

West High edged Dubuque Wahlert 5-4 and picked up a 6-3 win over Dubuque Hempstead on a day that started with a more than three-hour rain delay.

“It was a definite eye opener,” West High junior Vivian Mitchell said. “We thought it would be very difficult with us missing two players and I think we proved something to ourselves.”

Mitchell picked up a 7-5, 6-2 win over West Des Moines Valley senior Sarah Lagomarcino at number four singles on Monday.

Teammate Jessica Moonjely won a 6-1, 6-0 contest over Greta Stewart at number three singles and the duo teamed up for a win at number two doubles.

It was that duo that faced the biggest challenges on Saturday bumping up to the top two spots in the lineup and moving up to number one doubles.

Both Mitchell and Moonjely were up to the task.

“I knew they had the ability to win and to perform the way that they did the question was mentally were they going to believe in themselves and they did,” Villarini said. “They showed up and they fought hard and I’m just super proud of them.”

Moonjely was unbeaten a year ago at number four singles and had dropped just one game while starting 4-0 at number three singles this season.

The sophomore shined in her first crack at number one singles defeating Anna Herrig of Dubuque Wahlert 8-1 and downing Dubuque Hempstead’s Joyce Sun 8-0.

“It was really nerve-wracking for me but when I stepped on the court I took a deep breath and let all that go,” Moonjely said. “When I got the court I just had to relax and play my game and I ended up winning twice against really good players.”

Mitchell was nearly as impressive going 1-1 while playing at number two singles.

She earned an 8-1 win over Erin Connolly of Dubuque Hempstead and teamed with Moonjely to win twice at number one doubles.

“They play to win,” Villarini said of Moonjely and Mitchell. “We’ve talked through the years that we really work hard to command the point and not fall into the other players style of play and they really took that to heart and it’s helped them become successful.”

Two wins over strong opponents without the top two players in the lineup is a statement.

It was also a big confidence boost for a West High team that was a state semifinalist last year and plans to again contend for a state team title.

“Everybody knows that Emma and Audrey are amazing players and they deserve all the credit that they get,” Moonjely said. “But it was really amazing to see that even down two great players we can pull it together and still deliver.”

The Koch helped key the win on Monday each delivering singles wins and teaming up for a 6-1, 6-1 win at number one doubles.

West High also got a singles with from freshman Caroline Chandler and a doubles victory from Chandler and Meg Moreland.

Monday started a homestand for West High which includes a Tuesday date with Linn-Mar and a rescheduled meeting with Waterloo West on Thursday.

“We played really well today and we hope to keep it going tomorrow,” Mitchell said. “I think we are continuing to get better.”

West High 8, West Des Moines Valley 1

Singles

1. Emma Koch (ICW) def. Paeton Morrow 6-2, 6-0

2. Audrey Koch (ICW) def. Ava Torgerson 6-0, 6-2

3. Jessica Moonjely (ICW) def. Greta Stewart 6-1, 6-0

4. Vivian Mitchell (ICW) def. Sarah Lagomarcino 7-5, 6-2

5. Caroline Chandler (ICW) def. Kelsey Boal 6-1, 6-0

6. Camryn Anonson (WDV) def. Meg Moreland 6-4, 6-4

Doubles

1. Koch/Koch (ICW) def. Morrow/Lagomarcino 6-1, 6-1

2. Moonjely/Mitchell (ICW) def. Torgerson/Stewart 6-1, 6-1

4. Moreland/Chandler (ICW) def. Sam Auer/Sophie Beardsley 6-2, 7-5