Matthew Ahlers named to Academic All-State Tennis by the Iowa Tennis Coaches Association. To be considered for this award, a player must meet the following criteria:
• Must be an Iowa high school senior.
• Must have competed in at least 50% of their team’s varsity tennis matches during the year as well as competed in District/Sectional competition (Petitioning possible in case of injury).
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale; or a minimum GPA of 3.6 and have competed in State Tennis Competition.
• Player’s coach must be a member of the Iowa Tennis Coach’s Association.
Coming off a successful junior year campaign—Ahlers became the anchor for the Bulldogs playing at the number one spot for the entire season. A member of a final four team his freshman year, and an elite eight team his junior year, Ahlers proved to be a seasoned and wise number one for the Bulldogs. Playing a methodical style with excellent net play, Ahlers led the Bulldogs to a 4-1 overall record on the season and a top-ten ranking throughout the season. Teaming with his doubles partner Michael Meis, they proved to be a formidable combination, and they contributed to the Bulldogs winning the MRAC Tournament. Ahlers was a four-year letter winner in tennis, a member of the Missouri River Academic All-Conference Team, and he took home second place individual honors at the MRAC tournament. Ahlers has been an important anchor of Le Mars tennis for four years and finished his career in fitting fashion.
