Submitted photo: The St. Edmond girls tennis team stands together with its state tournament trophy on Saturday in Pella. Pictured (left to right) are head coach Shawn Neverman, Ava Andrew, Lauren Gibb, Cambree Lunn, Payton Bradley, Ava Underberg, Abby Huss and Chloe Palmer.

PELLA — The St. Edmond girls tennis program made history once again here on Saturday, competing in team state for the first time ever.

The Gaels, who entered the meet with a perfect 17-0 record, suffered a 5-0 setback to top-seed Cedar Rapids Xavier (25-0) in Class 1A.

Carroll Kuemper defeated Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Pella downed Waterloo Columbus and Decorah bested Dike-New Hartford in other first-round duals to advance.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of these girls,” SEHS head coach Shawn Neverman said. “This was an amazing season, and I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did. I never would have thought five years ago when my daughter, Leah, and her best friend, Sydney Engels, talked me into coaching the team that I would have them playing at state.

“This is a huge accomplishment for the girls as the first team in the history of the school to go to state.”

Senior Lauren Gibb, who has qualified for the upcoming 1A individual singles state tournament, dropped a 6-1, 6-0 decision to defending state champion Gabi Fleming. Payton Bradley fell 6-3, 6-3 in singles, and Cambree Lunn suffered a 6-2, 6-2 setback.

All three are seniors who have been key players in three consecutive North Central Conference regular season and tournament championships.

“I am very thankful for our three seniors in Lauren, Payton and Cambree,” Neverman said. “They have been the greatest kids to coach and have meant so much to the program.

“My hope is that the underclassmen have been paying attention to their dedication and work as hard as they did to get where we are today.”

Ava Andrew lost the first set in a tiebreaker before falling in the second, 6-0 while junior classmate Ava Underberg lost for the first time in singles this year. Sophomore Abby Huss held a 6-1 tiebreaker lead after splitting sets before the dual was decided and the match called off. She finished her season unbeaten.

“Tennis has been a highlight of my high school experience,” Bradley said. “The girls, the coaches and just the sport overall. We all worked so hard this season and had our hearts set on one goal, which was going to state as a team. We knew it would be difficult but as the season got closer to regionals, we showed why we deserved a chance at state.

“Winning conference for the third year, as well as beating No. 2 (Carroll Kuemper) was a huge accomplishment leading us to having an undefeated season up until state. The girls and I put in the work to achieve the hopes we had for this season.”