Xavier Girls Tennis Advanced to State Championship
The Saints secured their spot in the Class 1A title match after winning back-to-back quarterfinal and semifinal victories.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Tennis
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The Xavier girls tennis team punched their ticket to the Class 1A state championship match following dominant performances against Decorah and Central DeWitt. The team secured both victories with 5-1 scores after enduring a 6.5-hour wait between their matches.
Why it matters
The back-to-back wins represent a significant achievement for the Saints, who relied on the depth of their lineup to overcome two opponents in a single day of high-stakes state competition.
The Saints secured their advancement with identical 5-1 victories over Decorah and Central DeWitt. Grace Negrin clinched her win against Central DeWitt by securing a 10-6 third-set tiebreaker.
The players
Xavier
The Saints are a competitive girls tennis team that has successfully advanced to the Class 1A state championship match.
Grace Negrin
She is a member of the Xavier tennis team who won her No. 5 singles match against Central DeWitt in a third-set tiebreaker.
Ziah Harrington
She is a tennis player for Xavier who secured the dual victory for her team during the state quarterfinals against Decorah.
Gabi Fleming
She is a decorated tennis player who recently captured her fourth straight state singles title.
Boone
The team serves as the opponent for the Xavier girls tennis team in the upcoming Class 1A state title match.
The details
The Saints clinched both wins in singles play through the consistent performance of the lower half of their lineup. Ziah Harrington secured the deciding victory against Decorah, while Grace Negrin provided the winning edge against Central DeWitt.
Timeline
Last week, Gabi Fleming claimed her fourth consecutive state singles title.
October 12, 2026, the team completed their quarterfinal and semifinal matches in Pella.
October 13, 2026, at 9 a.m., the Class 1A championship match against Boone is scheduled to begin.
Season Trajectory
The Saints are continuing a high-performance season that builds on the individual success of players like Gabi Fleming. This deep tournament run positions Xavier as the team to beat heading into the final championship clash against Boone.
The Xavier team's success solidifies their spot in the state finals, setting up a high-stakes championship match. Gabi Fleming will also return to the court on Tuesday for a high-profile singles rematch against Maiya Phanchantraurai.
The takeaway
Maintaining physical and mental endurance during a 6.5-hour break is a critical factor for success in tournament-style play. Athletes and teams can draw inspiration from the Saints' ability to stay focused and close out matches during high-pressure state events.
What happens next
The Xavier girls tennis team will play for the Class 1A state title against Boone on October 13, 2026, at 9 a.m.
Further reading
For more on local high school court competition, visit Tennis.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Gazette.
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