State meet a brand new experience for Newton Tennis

More than a week before their trip to state on May 30, Newton tennis players Jennifer Ventling and Holly Vander Pol sat alongside their coach talking about something not the least bit tennis related — uniform options for state.

It’s this attention to small details that goes along with coach Erick Zehr’s enthusiasm that allowed his team to be as successful as it was this season. Zehr has rebuilt a program that was in shambles just three years ago. He has done so by encouraging his players, and giving each of them the personal attention necessary to nurture their talent.

It helps that his youthful zest is contagious, which shows his players how much he cares about not necessarily winning matches, but seeing his girls improve and have fun.

Ventling and Vander Pol epitomize this sentiment. Both walked on to the tennis court for the first time just two years ago. They did so as a bit of a last resort, not wanting to run track or play soccer, but the team dynamic made both of them stay with the sport, and it has indeed paid off.

“I’ve been playing tennis since freshman year,” Ventling said. “I didn’t like track or soccer, but I wanted to play a sport. I liked how many girls went out for the team, and how much fun we had. Coach [Zehr] has been a lot of fun too.”

“I started my freshman year,” Vander Pol added. “I didn’t want to run track anymore. I wanted something new. It has been a lot of fun. The atmosphere is great, and all the girls have been fun to hang out with. I love how close everyone is. A lot of the time you’ll be on a team that isn’t very close knit, but I love that this one is.”

The team was unfortunate to be shorthanded in its second round of regional action, and it was unable to make a state run, however, the aforementioned Ventling and Vander Pol are indeed headed to state to represent the Cardinals, which comes as a surprise to both.

“I’m definitely going to appreciate the experience of going to state,” Vander Pol added. "I’ve never experienced anything like it before. I think all this practice will help me prepare for it, but I think I will be ready. I’m just expecting to play my hardest and whatever happens, happens.”

The two share a friendship older than most, and it undoubtedly corresponds to their on-court successes. Doubles tennis is more of a team sport than most realize. With only one other teammate to rely upon, it takes a deep level of understanding and communication to make sure that both players are where they are supposed to be.

Both Ventling and Vander Pol certainly lean on their longstanding friendship to carry them, but they also know that the whole team owns part of this state bid. The work put in each day on the court has fueled improvement from the beginning of the season up to this point. The in-team competition has been vital to the drive of the individual players and doubles teams.

“Holly and I were best friend in kindergarten,” Ventling said. “We both are really positive when we play together. Whenever I mess something up, she helps me out and vice versa.”

Even with such an amazing regular season behind them, one that included a Little Hawkeye Conference regular season and tournament championships, the girls are tapering their expectations, while taking time to revel in the moment.

“We’ve had a really great season, but the best part is that when we all hang out together, we have a really good time,” Ventling said. “I’m just so happy to be going to state, and I want to remember this experience. My goal is just to win at least a set and enjoy the experience.”

“This season has been so much fun. I’m going to remember how close I got to everyone,” Vander Pol said.

The girls will play in the Class 2A doubles bracket on Thursday. They will face off against the second seeded team of Dana Waterman and Ali Grampp of Bettendorf.