The Boone girls’ tennis team is headed to the team state tournament after defeating Clarinda, 5-0, Saturday, October 3, at McHose Park in Boone.
“It was a dominant regional performance that continued with our third straight 5-0 victory,” head coach Shawn Latimer said.
Boone controlled the regional final from the start, winning four singles matches in straight sets before picking up the fifth victory needed to clinch the dual.
Because Boone reached five wins in singles play, the doubles matches did not need to be completed.
“There were some matches where we got tested today and should help out come team state,” Latimer said.
At No. 1 singles, Maiya Phanchantraurai gave Boone a strong start with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Chandy Nothwehr.
Kaylee Kuehl followed with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Layla Hargis at No. 2.
Livi Schneider continued Boone’s momentum at No. 3 singles, defeating Alexa Barnes 6-0, 6-2.
Claire Hardinger earned another straight-set victory at No. 4, defeating Kylar Downey 6-3, 6-2.
The deciding point came from freshman Harper Kuehl at No. 6 singles, who turned in a dominant performance against Alayna Shepherd, winning 6-0, 6-0 to help send Boone to the state tournament.
At No. 5 singles, junior Olivia Conlin was battling Elaina Hesse when the dual was decided.
Hesse had won the opening set 7-6 with a 7-3 tiebreak, while Conlin was leading the second set 5-2 when play ended.
Complete results were previously posted to kwbg.com
With the 5-0 victory over Clarinda, Boone advances to the team state tournament, adding another major accomplishment to an outstanding season for the Toreadors.
“Getting back to state for the second straight year is a great accomplishment, but this year we have bigger goals,” Latimer said.
The Class 1A 2026 State Team Tennis Tournament will be held at Pella High School Monday and Tuesday, October 12 and 13.
Boone (13-1) is the No. 2 seed and will play Fairfield (11-0) at 9 a.m. Monday.
Additionally, Phanchantraurai will compete in singles and Kuehl and Schneider will compete in doubles at the 2026 State Individual Tennis Tournament Wednesday and Thursday, October 7 and 8, at Waukee Northwest High School.
Phanchantraurai will play Ella Seney of Grinnell at noon on Wednesday while Kuehl and Schneider will face Macey O’Brien and Samantha Wood of Waterloo Columbus Catholic also at noon Wednesday.
Jill Lutz reporting
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