MANUALS: TENNIS

POSTSEASON

2024 Tennis Postseason

Manuals provide the most up to date policies, rules, and regulations for Iowa High School Athletic Association sports in the regular season and postseason. Member school athletic directors and head coaches seeking more information or clarifications on the contents of this manual should contact the IHSAA sport administrator for this sport: Andy Umthun at [email protected]. All other inquiries should be directed through athletic directors or coaches at member schools or host schools. 

Rules and regulations governing this sport can be found in USTA’s manuals and guides, excepting updates or experiments approved by the Board of Control.

HEADS UP: CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT

For more information on concussions or sport safety, please visit the Health & Safety resource page. 

Manual Index

Postseason Schedule

Postseason: Singles & Doubles

Postseason: Team

Coed State Tournament

Postseason Information & Guidelines

 

To search this manual, click a topic header from the Index above or select Find (Ctrl + F) from your keyboard.

Postseason Schedule

Singles & Doubles

District Tournament

Wednesday, May 8

  • 8:00—Coaches Meeting
  • ASAP—Seeding meeting, play begins

Weather Date: Thursday, May 9

 

State Tournament

Tuesday, May 21

  • 9:00—Arrival
  • 9:15—Photos
  • 9:30—Coaches Meeting
  • 10:00—Play begins

Wednesday, May 22

  • 8:30—Arrival
  • 9:30—Consolations
  • 10:00—Semifinals

 

Coed

State Tournament

Tuesday, June

  • 8:00—Coaches Meeting
  • 8:30—Play begins

Team

Substate First Round & Second Round

Saturday, May 11

  • 8:30—Coaches Meeting
  • 9:00—First Round
  • 12:00—Second Round
    • > 60 minutes following first round

Weather Date: Monday, May 13

 

Substate Final

Wednesday, May 15

  • 3:00 Coaches Meeting
  • 3:30 Play begins

Weather Date: Thursday, May 16

 

State Tournament

Thursday, May 30

  • 8:00—Arrival
  • 8:15—Photos
  • 8:30—Coaches Meeting
  • 9:00—Quarterfinals: 1 vs. 8, 4 vs. 5
  • Quarterfinals: 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6
    • To begin after conclusion of first session.
  • Semifinals: At least one hour after conclusion of all quarterfinals.

Friday, May 31

  • 9:00—Third-Place
  • 10:00—Championship

 

Postseason: Singles & Doubles

DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS

 

Format

Six schools will be assigned to each of the eight Class 2A districts. This means there will be four byes in the first-round competition at district competition. The four seeded players will receive the byes. The first- and second-place winners in singles and doubles competition will qualify for the state meet. There will be 16 singles players and 16 doubles teams qualifying for the state finals.

The remainder of the schools will be assigned to Class 1A districts unless the Board of Control determines otherwise. These schools will be assigned to eight districts. A 16-line bracket will be used and, if byes are needed, the seeded players will receive the byes. The first- and second-place singles and doubles winners in each district will qualify for the state meet. There will be 16 singles players and 16 doubles teams qualifying for the state finals.

 

Awards for District Meets

Prior to the district meets the managers will receive awards for their district tournament. Medals will be awarded for the first, second, and third place winners in singles and doubles. No awards will be presented to any player(s) ejected and disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct.

 

Team Postseason

Will continue this year with a new team postseason format from a year ago. district tournament results will not determine team qualifiers or advancement. District tournament results will only impact singles and doubles qualifiers for the State Tournament. No team scoring is required to be kept. No team awards will be distributed at this individual event.

 

District Entry Form

Each school can enter two individuals in singles competition and two teams in doubles competition. No player may participate in both singles & doubles competition.

Each school entered in tennis will be sent a district entry form and information about district tennis the week before district competition. The entry form should be sent to the tournament manager at the site the school is assigned so it arrives no later than Friday before the week of district competition. Schools must email the entry form to the District Manager and the IHSAA. Please be assured the host school’s head coach will not have access to the form prior to the seeding meeting.

Any coach wishing to make changes to their school’s district entry blank must be present BEFORE the seeding meeting. Changes in entries must be made before the Tournament Manager announces the seeding meeting is beginning for individual seeding and doubles seeding, respectively. If a coach does not arrive by this time to make changes, then the entry blank sent to the Tournament Manager is that school’s official entry. Coaches should have position records for both singles and doubles available at the coaches meeting. This information will be used is there are any position challenges issued to the tournament manager by opposing coaches at the coaches’ meeting.

Any player who becomes injured, ill, or for some other reason cannot participate when his match is scheduled to start will default the match.

 

District Tournament Pairings & Seeding

All pairings shall be made under the supervision of the host management.

A majority (over half) of head coaches at the seeding meeting must agree on the number of players to be seeded, not to exceed four players or doubles teams. A majority of coaches must also agree on each seed position.

  • Examples:
    • #1: Player A gets 3 votes, Player B gets 2 votes, and Player C gets 2 votes – the player with 3 votes is in the vote for that seed. All head coaches now vote to determine which of the players with 2 votes each is the other player up for that seed. That player and the initial player with 3 votes will be voted on for that seed position. The minimum vote required for the seed is 4-3.
    • #2: Player A gets 3 votes, Player B gets 3 votes, and Player C gets 2 votes – player C is dropped from the vote for that seed position and all head coaches vote for either player A or player B. The minimum vote required for the seed is 5-3. If there is a tie (4-4), re-vote and if there is a tie again, a coin flip decides that seed position.
    • #3: Player A gets 2 votes, Player B gets 2 votes, and Player C gets 2 votes. All head coaches need to vote again for this seed position. The minimum vote required for the seed is 4-2. If there continues to be a tie (2-2-2), a coin flip decides that seed position. If the tie is Player A – 3 votes and player B – 3 votes, all head coaches vote again for those two players. If the tie is not broken, a coin flip determines that seed position.
  • Only a player’s own coach may nominate the player for a seed position. A coach can withdraw his own nominated player from a potential seed before the vote on that seed position takes place. Once a player receives the seed, he cannot be withdrawn. Seeded players shall be assigned as described in the procedure that follows:
  • Pairings shall be completed as follows:
    • Determine the number of players to be seeded, if any, but not to exceed four.
    • Determining the seeds:
      • A player may only be nominated for a seed by his own coach,
      • A coach can withdraw his own nominated player from a potential seed before
    • the vote for that seed position takes place,
    • Once a player receives a seed, he cannot be withdrawn,
    • Each seed is a separate nomination and vote. (Nominate players for the #1
    • seed and vote. Then nominate players for the #2 seed and vote, etc.)
  • Assign seeded players as follows:
    • 8-line bracket: #1 on line 1, #2 on line 8, #3 on line 5, and #4 on line 4
    • 16-line bracket: #1 on line 1, #2 on line 16, #3 on line 9 and #4 on line 8.
    • (NOTE:) A school may NOT have two seeded players in the same half of the bracket.)
  • Next determine the number of byes needed by subtracting the number of players (or doubles teams) from the total number of lines (8 or 16), and assign the necessary byes in the following order:
    • (a) 8-line bracket: Line 2, 7 and 6
    • (b) 16-line bracket: Line 2, 15, 10, 7, 3, 14 and 11
  • Placing Teams with Single Entries
    • If all four seeded players have received byes and a team only has one singles player or doubles team entered in the tournament, that single team entry for a 16-line draw creates another bye on Line 3 and the team must then draw into the bottom half of the bracket.
    • If there is a second single team entry for a 16-line draw, another bye is created on Line 14. The two teams with single team entries then go into an open draw and the first team drawn goes into the top half of the draw and the second into the bottom half of the draw. A third single team entry creates another bye on line 11 and all three teams with single entries go into an open draw. The first team drawn goes into the top half of the bracket, the second team drawn into the bottom half of the bracket and the third team drawn into the top half of the bracket.
  • The number of vacant lines should be identical to the number of remaining players. Draw schools’ names for the remaining lines. The tournament manager will draw one bracket at a time (top bracket first), starting with the first open line of the bracket and proceeding down the bracket. After a school’s name has been drawn, the appropriate player’s name is placed on their school’s line according to the alphabetical system described below. The seeded players’ schools will be withdrawn from their seeded players’ bracket draw.

If a school enters two singles players who are not involved in seeding, the player whose last name is FIRST alphabetically shall be assigned to the TOP bracket in EVEN numbered years; whereas, the other player shall be assigned in the bottom bracket. Whenever a school enters two doubles teams who are not involved in seeding, the doubles team that includes the player whose last name is FIRST alphabetically, shall be assigned to the TOP bracket in EVEN numbered years; whereas, the other doubles team shall be assigned to the bottom bracket. In odd numbered years, the bracket (top or bottom) players are assigned to will be reversed – still using the team that includes the player whose last name is first alphabetically. Players from the same team are not to be placed in the same half of the bracket.

 

 

District Tournament Time Schedule

The district tournament coaches meeting will start at 8:00 a.m. sharp, with the seeding meeting following the conclusion of the coaches meeting, and play starts following the conclusion of the seeding meeting. If there is any change in this time, the tournament manager is responsible to inform the IHSAA and each school assigned to their district.

 

Match Scoring for District Meets

Two-out-of-three sets, deuce-ad scoring will be used during the championship rounds of district competition. New balls are given to players before any 3rd set.

Two-out-of-three sets, no-ad scoring will be used during consolation play, including 3rd place matches. The 7-point set tiebreak will be used for all rounds when the set score is tied “6-6” to determine a “7-6” set winner. For all postseason consolation play, including 3rd place matches, a 10-Point Match will be played in lieu of a 3rd set.

The break between the 2nd set and 10-point Match Tiebreak is 3 minutes. No new balls are given to players before the 10-Point Match Tie-Break. When a 10-Point Match Tiebreak is used the first individual or doubles team to reach 10 points, and is ahead by two, wins the third set (1-0)(x) (with the x being the number of points won by the losing team).

 

District Report Forms

Each manager will receive district report forms from the IHSAA Office.

 

7-Point Set Tiebreak

Singles: If it is Player ‘A’’s turn to serve the 13th game, he serves the first point from the right court. Player ‘B’ serves points two and three – left court, then right court; Player ‘A’ serves points four and five – left court, then right court. ‘B’ serves point six from the left court and the players change sides of the net. ‘B’ serves point seven starting from the right court. ‘A’ serves points eight and nine – left court, then right court; ‘B’ serves points 10 and 11, left court then right court. ‘A’ serves point 12 from the left court. If the points reach 6-All, players change sides of the net again and continue serving in the same pattern as above beginning with point seven, until one player leads by two points in the tie break whereupon he wins the set, 7-6.

After the tiebreak is completed, the players again change sides of the net for the first game of the next set with Player B as the first server. Note … the player who serves first in the tiebreak will receive in the first game of the next set played, if needed. A player must win at least seven points in the tiebreak and must win the tiebreak by two points.

Doubles: (‘AB’ on one team vs. ‘CD’) If it is ‘A’’s turn to serve the 13th game, you will follow the same pattern as in singles with partners continuing to serve in sequence as they have been during the entire set as the service alternates from team-to-team. ‘A’ serves the first point from the right-hand side of the court, ‘C’ serves points two and three, left side and then right side. ‘B’ serves points four and five, left side and right side. ‘D’ serves point six from the left side. Then teams change sides of the net and ‘D’ serves point seven from the right side.

‘A’ serves points eight and nine, left side and right side. ‘C’ serves points 10 and 11, left side and right side. ‘B’ serves point 12, left side. If the points reach 6-All, teams again change sides of the net and continue serving in the same pattern as above beginning with point seven until one team gets a two-point lead. The winning team then wins the set, 7-6. The teams then change sides of the net and play the first game of the next set with team CD as the first-serving team. Note: The team who serves first in the tiebreak will receive in the first game of the next set played, if needed.

 

Weather-Related Postponements & Indoor Play

If district tennis play has started on May 8 and rain stops play, indoor facilities, if available, may be used to complete play. If district tennis play has not started and rain causes postponement, May 9 will be the “rain date.”  If rain occurs at any time on May 9, indoor facilities, if available, may be used. Once the district manager has made the decision to play, schools will either play or forfeit. Where indoor facilities are not available, matches will be completed at the earliest possible date, unless determined otherwise by the meet manager.

Note:  Indoor shoes (non-marking/preferably not black soles) should be part of the travel uniform for all postseason competition due to the possibility of indoor play.

 

State Seeding Information Sheets

Following district competition, it is the responsibility of the coach of a district champion singles player and/or doubles team to submit the “State Seeding Information Sheet” to the IHSAA. This information will be sent to the other schools qualifying for the state tournament to help with the seeding process prior to the state meet.

 

 

STATE TOURNAMENT

 

State Tournament Sites

Class 1A: The state singles and doubles tournament will be held at Byrnes Park, Waterloo. The indoor site in case of inclement weather is Black Hawk Tennis Center, Waterloo,

Class 2A: The state singles and doubles tournament will be at Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Center, Iowa City. Indoor courts are available on site in case of inclement weather.

Note:  Indoor shoes (non-marking/preferably not black soles) should be part of the travel uniform for all postseason competition due to the possibility of indoor play.

 

Seeding Meetings

Zoom meetings for seeding will be conducted prior to the state tournament, which will allow for better preparation and eliminate the need to meet just prior to the start of the tournament.

A link to the Zoom seeding meeting will be sent to coaches following completion of all District meets.

 

Awards for State Singles & Doubles Competition

Medals will be awarded to the first eight places in both singles and doubles. Trophies will be presented to the schools with champion and runner-up singles and doubles players. No awards will be presented to any player(s) ejected and disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct, or failing to complete the tournament, except in the case of injury, illness, or other excuse verified by a school administrator. Picture plaques will be awarded to each state tournament participant by the IHSAA. At the tournament manager’s discretion, awards presentations for some players may be scheduled before the completion of all play.

 

Coaches’ Information

 Players should be ready to play at the end of the coaches meeting. Consolation bracket play will begin at 9:30 a.m., with semifinal matches starting at 10:00 a.m. Consolation finals will begin at 1:30 p.m., with the championship finals starting around 2:00 p.m.

 

Hitting Tennis Balls at the State Individual Tournament Site

State tennis qualifiers may hit balls at the State Meet site on the day before the first day of State Meet competition if the courts are available. Use of the courts for a school’s regular practice, or scheduled community event, shall have precedence.

 

Match Scoring for State Individual Tennis

Two-out-of-three sets, ad scoring will be used during the championship rounds of state competition. No-ad scoring will be used during consolation play. With no-ad scoring, consolation play will take place regardless of weather conditions. Please understand play may continue late into the evening on Friday to get all consolation matches played.

The 7-point set tiebreak will be used for all rounds when the set score is tied “6-6” to determine “7-6” set winner. See: “7-Point Set Tiebreak” under “District Tennis” information.

For all postseason consolation play, including 3rd place matches, a 10-Point Match Tiebreak will be played in lieu of a 3rd set. The break between the 2nd set and 10-point Match Tiebreak is 3 minutes. When a 10-Point Match Tiebreak is used the first individual or doubles team to reach 10 points, and be ahead by two, wins the third set (1-0)(x) (with the x being the number of points won by the losing team.

 

Pictures at the State Tournament

Pictures will be taken by the IHSAA of all singles and doubles players participating in the state tournament.

 

Procedure if 1st– or 2nd-place District Finisher Cannot Appear at the State Meet

If a 1st or 2nd place singles player, or member of a 1st or 2nd place doubles team, becomes injured, ill, or for some other reason cannot participate in the state meet, the third-place finisher from that district will be given the opportunity to go to the state meet. If the district champion singles player, or doubles team, is substituted for, the runner-up from that district will be eligible for seed consideration. In no case will a fourth-place finisher advance to the state tournament.

Anytime there is to be a substitution made to the state tournament field the IHSAA office should be notified as soon as possible, but no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Monday before the state tournament. The substitute(s) will be notified immediately through their athletic director. If the IHSAA is not notified by 5:00 p.m. on Monday before the state tournament, there will be no substitution made for the singles player or doubles team that cannot participate. If the third-place district finisher cannot compete in the state tournament, there will be no substitution. In no case will a fourth-place finisher advance to the state tournament.

 

Eligibility of District Runners-Up for a Seed Position at the State Tournament

A district tennis runner-up (singles player or doubles team) may be submitted for seeding placement at the state individual tennis tournament under the following circumstances:

  1. The district singles runner-up or doubles runner-up is replacing a district champion who is unable to compete due to injury, illness or other verified excuse because then the runner-up is considered to be a champion.
  1. The district singles runner-up was a state individual tennis tournament singles champion or runner-up, in either class (1A or 2A), the previous year.
  2. Both players on the district doubles runner-up team were part of the same doubles team that was a state individual tennis tournament champion or runner-up, in either class (1A or 2A), the previous year.

 

State Meet Seeding Method – Singles/Doubles

Each coach who has a district champion, or eligible district runner-up, singles player and/or doubles team will receive seeding information regarding other players eligible for a seed position. Each coach of a district champion, or eligible district runner-up, who feels his player(s) should be considered for a seed will have the opportunity to relate to the other coaches the ability of his individual player(s) or double team(s). The district runner-up cannot be seeded except as explained above. Remember, if the runner-up is replacing a district champion who cannot compete, the runner-up is considered to be a champion.

Determine the number of players to be seeded, not to exceed four. After each coach has had the opportunity to explain the merits of their players, each coach may nominate their player for whatever seed they feel the player should have. Only a player’s own coach may nominate the player for a seed position. A coach can withdraw his own nominated player from a potential seed before the vote on that seed position takes place. Once the player receives the seed, he cannot be withdrawn. Each seed is a separate nomination and vote. (Nominate players for the #1 seed and vote on that. Then nominate players for the #2 seed and vote on that, etc.)

The first-seeded player(s) occupies the top line in the upper bracket (line 1). The second-seeded player(s) occupies the bottom line in the lower bracket (line 16). The third-seeded player(s) occupies the top line in the lower bracket (line 9) and the fourth-seeded player(s) occupies the bottom line in the upper bracket (line 8). The drawing for the rest of the positions will be done by lot. After the fourth seed has been determined (if all seeds were district champions), the remaining district champions will be drawn by lots for lines 3, 5, 11, and 13. After the district champions have been drawn, the runners-up will be drawn and will be placed on the first open line starting with lines 2 and 10. However, (1) if a school has two different doubles teams or two players in singles, they shall not be assigned to the same half of the bracket, and, (2) the determining factor as to whether a runner-up singles player or doubles team goes in the top or bottom of the draw depends upon which half their district champion was seeded or drawn into. A runner-up shall not go in the same half of the bracket as the champion from their district unless the seeding places them in the same half bracket.

 

Draw for Seeds When There Are Seeded District Runners-Up

If an eligible district runner-up is seeded #2 or #3, the champion from that district, if unseeded, will be drawn into the top of the bracket. The lines drawn for the remaining unseeded champions would be #3, #5 and #6. A seeded runner-up shall not go in the same half of the bracket as the unseeded champion from their district.

If an eligible district runner-up is seeded #1 or #4, the champion from that district, if unseeded, will be drawn into the bottom of the bracket. The lines drawn for the remaining unseeded champions would be #11, #12 and #13. A seeded runner-up shall not go in the same half of the bracket as the unseeded champion from their district.

 

State Individual Tennis Expense Allowance

A prerequisite for receiving any expense allowance from the IHSAA is that your school must travel to another town for the tournament participation.

1-4 participants = $.48 per mile

5-8 participants = $.95 per mile

>8 participants – $1.20 per mile

Postseason: Team

Match Scoring in Team Tennis Competition

All match scoring in all team tennis competition will be two out of three sets, no-ad scoring, with a 7-point set tiebreak if necessary.

 

Completion of Match Play

All postseason team tennis competition ends when the first team wins five matches. This applies to all rounds and all scoring scenarios.

 

Team Tennis Lineups

Participating schools will be sent a form to list the team lineup, both singles and doubles, which must be submitted to the host site manager before the first team match in the substate first round.

  • Teams will exchange their lineups at the same time so there will be no rearranging of players.
  • The #1 player from school “A” that day competes against the #1 player from school “B”; #2 player from school “A” that day competes against #2 player from team “B”; #3 vs. #3; #4 vs. #4; #5 vs. #5; and #6 vs. #6.
  • It is mandatory that #1 player in singles must play in either the #1 or #2 doubles team, unless he is being withheld from doubles matches. Either the #1 or #2 singles player must play in the #1 doubles team unless both are being withheld from the doubles matches.
  • If the #1 singles player plays on the #1 doubles team, the #2 singles player may play on either the #2 or #3 doubles team.
  • Doubles teams are to be listed in position of strength with the best of the doubles teams submitted that day playing #1; the second-best doubles team that day playing #2, and #3 playing against #3.

The state tournament lineup must be the same as the substate final lineup, except due to injury, illness, or other reason as verified by a school administrator.

Once a substitution has been made, the lineup remains the same for the remainder of that day. It is recommended that each team list a substitute on their line-up form and bring the substitute to postseason team tennis competition in the event one of their regular players becomes injured or ill.  If no substitute is listed, no substitute can be used during sub‐state and state team tennis competition.

Coaches must have position records for both singles and doubles available at substate matches. This information must be available in case any position challenges are issued to the tournament manager by opposing coaches within that substate. Challenges must be presented during the coaches’ meeting.

Substitutions: Only players listed on the line up sheet can be used as substitutes during postseason team play. Once a substitution has been made, the lineup remains the same for the remainder of that day.

Singles Competition: In the event of injury, illness, or absence of any player in singles competition, you move the team members up instead of substituting. Example: If #3 singles is absent, 4, 5, and 6 move up and #7 player becomes the #6 player. If a player cannot continue during singles competition, he forfeits the match and may be substituted for in doubles competition.

  • A player who is injured in singles play, and does not continue to play in his singles match, cannot play the remainder of the day. If he is assigned to compete in doubles competition, he may be substituted for.

Doubles Competition: A player may be substituted for the missing player, but the makeup of the doubles team cannot be realigned. Example: If #1 and #3 are playing as part of a doubles team and #3 is unable to compete, #7 player would substitute in place of #3. In short, there is no realigning of the doubles team. You merely substitute for that missing player on the doubles team. If one partner of a doubles team cannot continue during doubles competition, the doubles team forfeits the match.

  • Note: Teams should list a substitute on their lineup form and bring the substitute to postseason team tennis competition in the event one of their regular players becomes injured or ill. If no substitute is listed, no substitute can be used during substate and state team tennis competition.
  • A player who has been ejected and disqualified from singles play and has been assigned to compete in doubles competition may be substituted for. The substitute for the ejected player must be a player not originally in the doubles team line-up but must be on the line-up sheet.

Time Allotment Between Sets and Matches – A maximum of 2 minutes is allowed between the 1st and 2nd sets and a maximum of 10 minutes is allowed between 2nd and 3rd sets. Players may leave the court during this 10-minute break, but all equipment should be left on the court. In consolation play, when a 10-Point Match Tiebreak is played in lieu of a 3rd set, the break between the 2nd set and 10-point match Tiebreak is 3 minutes.

  • Thirty minutes is allowed between a player’s singles and doubles matches unless the coaches mutually agree to shorten the break.
  • Penalty: When the match time has been posted and a player(s) is not ready to play, the player(s) will default the match.

 

Weather-Related Postponements / Indoor Play

If substate tennis team play has started on May 12/17 and rain stops play, indoor facilities, if available, may be used to complete play. If substate team tennis play has not started and rain causes postponement, May 15/18 will be the “rain date.”  If rain occurs at any time on May 12/17, indoor facilities, if available, may be used. Once the substate host site manager has made the decision to play, schools will either play or forfeit. Where indoor facilities are not available, matches will be completed at the earliest possible date, unless determined otherwise by the meet manager.

Note:  Indoor shoes (non-marking/preferably not black soles) should be part of the travel uniform for all postseason competition due to the possibility of indoor play.

Postseason Format

Six varsity players from each team must be eligible to participate in the team tennis postseason.

All team rounds will be played using 6 singles matches and 3 doubles matches. It is permissible to use different players in singles and doubles competition.

The team postseason will include ALL eligible teams and take place over three sets of dates. The scheduled dates are as follows:

  • Substate, First & Second Rounds, May 11
  • Substate, Final, May 15
  • State Tournament, May 30 & 31

 

Seeding Meetings

For substate and state tournament competition, head coaches for the assigned groups of participating teams will meet in-person or via conference call to determine seeding and matchups.

 

 

SUBSTATE TOURNAMENTS

 

Procedure & Dates

There will be eight substates in each classification. All eligible teams will participate in the postseason format. The eight winning teams to come out of each substate final will advance to the state tournament in each classification.

Substate assignments will be posted the week of April 22. Seedings will be determined by coaches’ meetings, to be held Friday, April 26 or Saturday, April 27. All events played to that date may be considered in the coaches’ meetings. Substate pairings will then be released the week of April 29.

 

Class 2A

Format: Eight substates with up to six teams each. Two host sites for each substate in the first round, then one host site for the substate final.

First & Second Rounds, May 11: #1 seed bye, #4 vs. #5; then #1 vs. winner. #2 seed bye, #3 vs. #6; then #2 vs. winner.

Final, May 15: Winners from each site play one dual at the highest-remaining seed.

 

Class 1A

Format: Eight substates with up to eight teams each. Two host sites for each substate in the first round, then one host site for the substate final.

First & Second Rounds, May 11: #1 seed vs. #8, #4 vs. #5; then winners play. #2 seed vs. #7, #3 vs. #6; then winners play.

Final, May 15: Winners from each site play one dual at the highest-remaining seed.

 

STATE TOURNAMENT

 

State Tournament Sites

Class 1A: The state team tournament will be at Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Center, Iowa City. Indoor courts are available on site in case of inclement weather.

Class 2A: The state team tournament will be at Waukee Northwest High School, Waukee. The indoor site in case of inclement weather is to be determined.

Note:  Indoor shoes (non-marking/preferably not black soles) should be part of the travel uniform for all postseason competitions due to the possibility of indoor play.

 

Hitting Tennis Balls at the State Team Tournament Site

State team qualifiers may hit balls at the State Meet site on the day before the State Meet, if the courts are available. Use of the courts for the host school’s practice, or scheduled community events, shall have precedence.

 

Match Scoring in Team Tennis Competition

All match scoring in all team tennis competition will be two out of three sets, no-ad scoring, with a 7-point set tiebreak if necessary.

For all consolation play, a 10-Point Match Tiebreak will be played in lieu of a 3rd set. The break between the 2nd set and 10-point Match Tiebreak is 3 minutes. When a 10-Point Match Tiebreak is used the first individual or doubles team to reach 10 points, and is ahead by two, wins the third set (1-0)(x) (with the x being the number of points won by the losing team).

 

State Tournament Expense Allowance

A prerequisite for receiving any expense allowance from the IHSAA is that your school must travel to another town for the tournament participation.

  • 5-8 participants = $.95 per mile
  • >8 participants – $1.20 per mile

Coed State Tournament

There are two classes for the State Coed Tennis Tournament. Schools who are classified as Class 2A in either boys’ or girls’ regular season tennis are in Class 2A for State Coed Tennis. All other schools are in Class 1A. The Class 2A tournament headquarters will be at Marshalltown High School’s Tennis Complex. The Class 1A tournament headquarters will be at Pella High School’s brand-new Tennis Complex. Both tournaments will take place on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

Players and coaches should be present at their tournament site by 8:00am, regardless of the weather conditions. Play begins at 8:30am.

Every effort will be made to start and play this State Coed Tennis Tournament; however, in case of prolonged inclement weather the tournament could be delayed, postponed, or moved indoors. The tournament directors will determine whether this will be a one or two-day tournament. If deemed necessary by the tournament directors, the tournament will be concluded the next day (only if necessary).

Schools may enter a maximum of two mixed doubles teams with a fee of $15.00 paid to the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union for each team. The contact person for state coed tennis is Erin Gerlich at the IGHSAU.

Please email entries, including names of the participants, to the IGHSAU office by 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024 to [email protected] or 515-401-1830.

If a school has two mixed doubles teams, they will be placed in opposite halves of the bracket. This is a random draw tournament. There is no seeding in this tournament, which is sponsored by the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association. To reduce delays, the draw will be made Monday before the tournament begins. The IHSAA & IGHSAU Tennis Advisory Committees acknowledge there may still be changes the morning of the tournament, but those changes should be minimal. Once tournament play begins, no additional entries will be allowed.

ONLY STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12 DURING THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR ARE ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE IN STATE COED TENNIS.

IN ORDER FOR A SCHOOL TO HAVE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS MEET, A COACH MUST BE PRESENT DURING ALL COMPETITION OR THE SCHOOL WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE. THE COACH MUST ACCOMPANY THE PLAYERS TO REPORT MATCH SCORES AFTER EACH MATCH IN THE STATE CO-ED COMPETITION.

Match scoring will be 2 out of 3 sets, no-add scoring with a 7-point set tiebreak. A 10-POINT MATCH TIEBREAK WILL BE PLAYED IN LIEU OF ALL 3rd SETS IN THE STATE CO-ED TOURNAMENT. The break between the 2nd set and 10-point Match Tiebreak is 3 minutes. This Tiebreak is played in the same manner as the 7-Point Set Tiebreak; except that it continues until one mixed doubles team reaches 10 points and is ahead by two. When one mixed doubles team reaches 10 points and is ahead by two they win the third set (10)(x) (with the x being the number of points won by the losing team) and the match (two sets to one). A 7-Point Set Tiebreak is to be used for all other Tiebreak opportunities.

There is no expense allowance paid for the State Co-Ed Tennis Tournament.

Postseason Information & Guidelines

Classifications

There will be two classes in tennis, 2A and 1A. The largest 48 schools will be assigned to Class 2A with the remainder in Class 1A, unless the Board of Control determines otherwise. The Board of Control determines all sites and assignments.

 

Cell Phones and or Other Electronic Communication Devices

Cell phones and or other electronic communication devices may not be used by players during a match from the time the players begin warmups until the conclusion of play. USTA rules do allow players to use written notes that were prepared before the start of the match if they are referred to only during changeovers or set breaks.

 

Changeovers

When players change ends after the first game of each set, or the tiebreak, there will be no rest period. The first rest period will be when players change ends after the 3rd game of a set.

 

Coaching Opportunities

School coaches have an opportunity to coach their players during each 90-second changeover and during set breaks. When players change ends after the first game of each set, or the tie-break, there will be no rest period and no opportunity for coaching. No timeouts are to be taken during play.

Breaks between sets one and two are limited to 2 minutes and breaks between sets two and three are limited to 10 minutes. During all postseason consolation play, a 10-Point Match Tiebreak is played instead of a 3rd set. The break between the 2nd set and 10-point match tiebreak is 3 minutes.

School coaches, or players entered in the tournament who are approved by the head coach, are the only ones permitted to speak to their players from the time players take the court to warm up for their match until the match is over. It is not permissible for club pros, parents, or others, to speak with players during this time. Players may be disqualified from further competition in the district or state competition for violations of this rule.

  • Note #1: Coaches do not need to wait for the opposing coach to be present to use a coaching opportunity.
  • Note #2: The duration of the 90-second changeovers and set breaks are not lengthened for coaching opportunities. Players should pick up their drinks and towels at the net post or bench, if they wish to have them, and go immediately to the fence to visit with their coaches.

 

Coach’s Introductions

During the postseason pre-meet coaches meeting, the school coaches from each school will introduce themselves so there is no confusion as to who will be representing each school as their coaches.

 

Consolation Play

A 10-Point Match Tiebreak is played in lieu of all 3rd sets in all postseason consolation play. No new balls are given to players before the 10-Point Match Tiebreak. When a 10-Point Match Tiebreak is used the first individual or doubles team to reach 10 points, and is ahead by two, wins the third set (1-0)(x) (with the x being the number of points won by the losing team).

 

Doubles Lineup

During postseason team play: (1) Either the #1 or #2 singles player must play on the #1 doubles team, unless both players are being withheld from doubles matches; (2) If the #1 singles player plays doubles he may play on either the #1 or #2 doubles team; (3) If the #1 singles player plays on the #1 doubles team, the #2 singles player may play on the #2 or #3 doubles team; (4) If the #2 singles player plays on the #1 doubles team, the #1 singles player must play on the #2 doubles team, if not playing on the #1 doubles team.

Match Scoring

Look under district, state individual, team tennis, and state coed tennis for match scoring in each of those tournaments.

 

Medical Timeouts

Medical time-outs, including those for bleeding, injury, or a treatable medical condition, may be of a reasonable length to evaluate and treat the condition and clean blood from players or any surface. Anytime a player defaults due to bleeding, injury, or a medical condition, he may not play the remainder of the meet/tournament. A maximum of one medical time out is permitted per match. For muscle cramps, refer to “Time Out Procedure for Muscle Cramps.”

 

On-Court Equipment

No additional equipment may be brought onto the court during play. Examples: chairs, oversized coolers, folding benches, etc.

 

Refusal to Play

When a player refuses to play, or continue playing, for any reason he disqualifies himself from further competition in that meet or tournament. The player’s school, or the Athletic Association, may impose further penalties if they deem such penalties appropriate.

 

Time Allotment Between Sets and Matches

A maximum of 2 minutes is allowed between the 1st and 2nd sets and a maximum of 10 minutes is allowed between 2nd and 3rd sets. Players may leave the court during this 10-minute break, but all equipment should be left on the court. In consolation play, when a 10-Point Match Tiebreak is played in lieu of a 3rd set, the break between the 2nd set and 10-point match Tiebreak is a maximum of 3 minutes.

  • Thirty minutes is allowed between matches, unless the coaches mutually agree to shorten it, or the recovery rule applies.
  • Penalty: Once the match time has been determined / posted, and the player and/or his coach notified, and a player is not ready to play, the match is a default, unless the tournament manager has been consulted.

 

Uniforms

Tennis players shall wear school-issued/approved uniforms in tennis competition. Football jerseys and tank tops are not legal. In the event the school does not have a uniform for competition, the players will wear a plain T-shirt of a single color with no design, exclusive of the manufacturer’s logo, or a high school tennis tournament T-shirt. Turning shirts inside out is not permissible to meet uniform requirements. Each team should take additional school issued/approved shirts or a plain one-color shirt to wear if an additional shirt is needed due to playing or weather conditions. Tennis shorts shall be worn. Players shall not wear an undergarment, or tights, which extend below the tennis shorts, except through a medically authorized waiver. A copy of a doctor’s statement must be shown to the meet manager and, in such cases, the undergarment or tights must be similar in color to the tennis shorts or the predominant color of the tennis shorts.

  • Garments that do not meet the definition of the legal uniform include, but are not limited to, biking shorts, thigh huggers, multicolored beachwear, night wear or underwear, cutoff jeans or sweats, sweat pants or anything else that is objectionable to the meet manager.
  • Note: The meet manager may allow the wearing of cold weather clothing if conditions warrant.
  • Penalty:  If a player is not in proper uniform, he may not participate. Any violations of the uniform rule should be reported to the Iowa High School Athletic Association.
  • Warm-Up – Players are allowed a maximum of ten minutes to warm up, which includes practice serves.

 

GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING CONTROVERSY ON THE COURT

Line calls, foot faults, score keeping, etc.

WHEN A MEET MANAGER, OR THEIR DESIGNEE, IS AVAILABLE:

  • STEP 1: A player’s coach is responsible for cautioning his/her player if there is a problem with line calls, foot faults, scorekeeping, etc. If a player’s coach fails to meet this responsibility or the player’s behavior continues the following procedure should be followed:
  • STEP 2:  The players will have a conference at the net to discuss the issue in question.
  • STEP 3:  The meet manager, or his/her designee, will have a conference with the players to discuss the issue in question.
  • STEP 4:  The meet manager, or his/her designee, will have a conference with the players AND both head coaches to discuss the issue in question.
  • STEP 5:  The meet manager, or his/her designee, will appoint an appeal judge to rule on appeals made by a player. The Athletic Association should be notified if step #5 of these guidelines is implemented during a meet.

 

WHEN A MEET MANAGER, OR THEIR DESIGNEE, IS NOT AVAILABLE:

  • STEP 1: A player’s coach is responsible for cautioning his/her player if there is a problem with line calls, foot faults, scorekeeping, etc. If a player’s coach fails to meet this responsibility or the player’s behavior continues the following procedure should be followed:
  • STEP 2:  The players will have a conference at the net to discuss the issue in question.
  • STEP 3: The coaches and players will have a conference at the net to discuss the issue in question.
  • STEP 4:  The coaches will meet and agree on an appeal judge to rule on appeals made by a player. The Athletic Association should be notified if step #4 of these guidelines is implemented during a meet.

 

SPORTSMANSHIP

The responsibility for ensuring that each player practices good sportsmanship lies with each player’s coach. Profanity (including four-letter words), racket throwing, or other unsportsmanlike acts cannot be tolerated.

A player may be given a warning, or ejected and disqualified, on the first violation depending upon the severity of the acts, as determined by the player’s coach or meet management. A SECOND WARNING TO THE SAME INDIVIDUAL IS AN AUTOMATIC EJECTION AND DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE COMPETITION.

During team play, if a player is ejected from a singles match, the ejection rule is enforced for that player in both singles and doubles. However, that player’s doubles partner will not be penalized and a substitute, who must already be listed on the lineup sheet, may replace the ejected player in doubles play. The doubles team positions cannot be realigned. If one partner of a doubles team is ejected and disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct during doubles competition, the doubles team forfeits the match and cannot advance or place in the tournament due to the ejection.

The Tournament Manager may select up to three coaches to serve as the Tournament Committee to help the Tournament Manager enforce good sportsmanship by players and coaches, and make other decisions not specifically covered by the rules. The Tournament Manager’s decision will be final related to all aspects of the tournament not specifically covered by the IHSAA. Upon the recommendation of the Tournament Manager, the IHSAA Administrative Staff will send a letter of reprimand to the school administrators of coaches guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct at IHSAA-sponsored postseason tennis tournaments.

Sportsmanship warnings given during district, preliminary sub-state, sub-state, and state competition carry over from match-to-match, round-to-round, and day-to-day of the same tournament. State team quarterfinals through team finals is the same tournament. A SECOND WARNING TO THE SAME INDIVIDUAL IS AN AUTOMATIC EJECTION AND DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE COMPETITION.

As per IHSAA policy, any student disqualified from an interscholastic contest for flagrant, violent, or verbal misconduct will be ineligible for the next regularly scheduled game/meet/date at that level of competition and all other games/meets/dates in the interim at any level, including IHSAA postseason tournaments, in addition to any other penalties the IHSAA or the school may assess.

 

TIMEOUT PROCEDURE FOR MUSCLE CRAMPS

The Tennis Advisory Committee has developed, and the Board of Control has approved, the following procedure for dealing with muscle cramps. The Committee feels strongly that coaches need to do what is prudent and in the best interests of the health of the athlete. There are certainly situations where a coach will choose to injury default a player before this procedure requires an injury default.

  • The first time during a match a player, or either member of a doubles team, must stop playing due to muscle cramps; a medical timeout is taken. This medical timeout shall be of a reasonable length of time to evaluate and treat the injury.
  • Subsequent occurrences of cramping during the match, even if the cramping is in different areas of the body, are subject the point penalty system according to USTA rules.
    • The second time a player, or either member of a doubles team, must stop playing due to muscle cramps; a match point is awarded to the opponent.
    • The third time a player, or either member of a double team, must stop playing due to muscle cramps; one game is awarded to the opponent.
    • The fourth time a player, or either member of a doubles team, must stop play due to muscle cramps the player, or doubles team, must INJURY DEFAULT, for the entire meet or tournament.
  • Note 1:  After each individual cramping occurrence, play must continue or the player, or doubles team, must injury default.
  • Note 2: ONLY ONE medical time-out may be taken in a match for the same injury or condition, i.e., cramping – even if the cramping is in different areas of the body.
  • Note 3:  The cramping penalty system is sequential and does not start over with each set. It carries over throughout the entire match. Example: If a player, or either member of a doubles team, has already been assessed a cramping penalty in the second set, any muscle cramps occurring again in the 3rd set to an individual player or either member of the doubles team, shall result in a one-game cramping penalty being assessed.
  • Note 4:  Singles and doubles competition are considered separate matches when applying the time out procedure for cramping. However, if a player defaults due to injury, he may not play the remainder of the meet/tournament.

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