WATERLOO — In between taking swings at the plate and patrolling centerfield for the fourth-ranked (Class 1A) St. Edmond softball team, Lauren Gibb will put a wrap on her tennis career.

Gibb, a Gael senior, takes on Pella’s Abby Hietbrink in the opening round of the 1A state tennis singles tournament here on Friday at 10 a.m. from Byrnes Park

An Iowa Central softball commit, Gibb won a regional championship to punch her name to state.

“It’s been tough to juggle both softball and tennis,” Gibb said. “I’ve been able to go to the courts in the morning and work for a couple hours or after practice until late at night.”

Gibb, who helped the Gaels qualify for team state for the first time in program history earlier this spring, won back-to-back North Central Conference singles titles while leading St. Edmond to three consecutive NCC crowns.

“It’s been really exciting to be able to compete in team state while also starting to focus on my individual state,” Gibb said. “I am super excited to get out there and show what I am capable of doing.”

The 1A field is led by defending state champion Gabriella Fleming of Cedar Rapids Xavier, who Gibb played in the opening round of team state. Runner-up Kate Holton of Pella also returns along with Carroll Kuemper’s Kaylie Simons.

With a win in the first round, Gibb would face either Gabi Jacobs of Shenandoah or Kennedy Harms from Grinnell.

“This year has truly been memorable with the undefeated regular season and being able to compete at team state while also making school history,” Gibb said. “Along with that, being able to make individual state is a great feeling as they only take 16 girls for each class, which is a hard thing to do since there are only two classes of tennis.”

Gibb is currently 15-4 overall on the season and owns a record of 124-55 in games played. Hietbrink, a junior, is 19-3 overall, including a 13-1 record while playing No. 2 for Pella.

“I am sad to see the season go, but I have accomplished all we talked about so far for the year. I’ll be ready to go play and I’m so excited to see how it goes.”