SE’s Palmer earns state tennis spot
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PELLA -- Chloe Palmer decided when she hit the postseason tennis court that she was just going to let it fly.
Palmer, a senior at St. Edmond, has been playing the sport for only her four years of high school. She wanted to end her prep career on the courts in a special way.
The top seed in a Class 1A regional meet at Pella proved she belonged, as Palmer took second place and advanced to the state tournament.
"I've only been playing for four years and I'm not really a ‘known’ tennis player," Palmer said. "So I chose to play free, trust my shot selection and hit harder balls."
In the first round, Palmer knocked off Clarke's Kaitlyn Glenn in straight sets, 6-0 and 6-0. In the quarterfinals, she defeated Paisley Larrington of Chariton, 6-1 and 6-0.
For a state tournament bid in the semifinals, Palmer advanced with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Macy Westerkamp of Pella.
She lost to third-seeded Ellie Smock of Pella in the first-place match, 6-4, 6-1.
Palmer will play at state on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 at Waukee Northwest.
"Qualifying for state means so much to me because it's been a goal of mine this year," Palmer said. "It's really exciting to see hard work and hustle pay off.
"I'm extremely grateful to be able to play great competitive tennis against some great players at state tennis."
St. Edmond's second-seeded Abby Huss placed third individually. Huss easily handled Angela Zaragoza-Rosales of Clarke, 6-1, 6-0 in her opener. She advanced to the semis with a straight set 6-0, 6-0 victory over Ruby Thompson of Saydel.
In the semifinals, Huss fell to Smock, 6-0 and 6-0. She finished third with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Westerkamp.
St. Edmond's Sophia Schlienz and Olivia Andrew were the fourth seed in doubles action. Schlienz and Andrew defeated Aubrey Nissen and Lilly Graves of Clarke, 6-1 and 6-2. They advanced to the semifinals with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Thalia Desocio and Brylee Woolsey of Knoxville.
The Gael duo fell to top-seeded and eventual champion Addi Namminga and Reagan DeJong of Pella, 6-0 and 6-2. They bounced back to take third, topping third-seeded Trinley Gibson and Sierra Leathers of Pella, 1-6, 6-3 and 10-8.
St. Edmond's Jade Rock and Kaci McGonegle lost their only match of the day.