How Ames tennis players Jiwen Li and Adeline Oetker are building confidence on the court
Ames girls tennis players Jiwen Li and Adeline Oetker both needed a confidence boost entering the 2024 season.
Li was uncertain about stepping into a leadership role and Oetker was facing the challenge of moving up from the No. 5 singles position to the No. 2 spot.
But as they head into the postseason, both players are starting to find their comfort zone.
Li is a senior and has taken on a prominent role as the do-everything co-captain for the Little Cyclones. She is a quiet personality, but this year she was asked to become more vocal.
It was a big adjustment for her to make. But she has done it successfully.
“It was kind of scary at first,” Li said. “I was kind of scared to yell 'Ames on three...one, two three.' But no one really cares if you mess up, so that made me more comfortable.”
She has been playing tennis on and off since grade school. Li took a year off in eighth grade during the COVID-19 pandemic, but she returned to play for Ames High as a freshman and has not looked back since.
“Freshman year my mom was like 'Why not just go to the tennis team and see how you like it,'” Li said. “I did and I wasn’t very good at it at first. But then I picked it up and I really liked it.”
As a senior, Li has not only become more animated as a team leader, she has been coach John Hernandez's most versatile asset.
In singles play, Li has held down the Nos. 1, 3 and 4 positions. She takes over the No. 1 spot when top player Laura Chen is not available, such as this week when Chen and her regular doubles teammate, Amaya Dassanayake, are away attending a DECA conference in California.
More: Tharun Raju and Anson Bernard want another shot at 2A boys state tennis doubles tournament
Li has won 13 of her 17 combined singles and doubles matches. She prevailed in her first two matches in the No. 1 spot before falling to Johnston's Allie Christensen in straight sets during Ames' 11-0 loss to the powerhouse Dragons on Wednesday.
Even though she lost to Christensen, Li is pleased with the progress she has made when she is put in the No. 1 spot.
“I think it’s because I’m a senior I have more experience,” Li said. “I have experience being in high-stress situations, and I don’t really freak out. It’s nice to win, but in the end, I’m trying to have fun.”
Hernandez certainly appreciates Li's willingness to step into the No. 1 spot when needed.
“This team wouldn’t be the same without her,” Hernandez said. “There is no doubt in my mind that she is the most valuable player on this team so far this year.”
Oetker was Li's doubles teammate against Johnston. They came up short in the No. 1 doubles match against Johnston's team of Christensen and Lauren Hendrickson, but Oetker was happy to get to play alongside Li.
“When I play, I don’t tend to have fun,” Oetker said. “Playing with (Li) actually allowed me to have fun and laugh.”
Oetker is 4-5 in singles matches from the No. 2 spot.
“I feel like there’s always been pressure on me,” Oetker said. “Last year I was No. 5 and Laura (Chen) and I were both the rookies of the year. It was a lot of pressure to do well, and I feel like that is still on me. I’m a sophomore and everyone we play are juniors or seniors.”
Considering her youth, Hernandez thinks she is handling the No. 2 spot just fine.
“It’s not an easy spot to play No. 2,” Hernandez said. “She’s handled it most of the season. I’m impressed with the way she’s starting to mature as a tennis player.”
After playing with Li on Wednesday, Oetker saw that it is ok to step back during matches and just enjoy playing the sport.
“It’s not putting so much pressure on myself,” Oetker said. “Being able to joke and laugh things off.”
Hernandez said if Oetker can relax and improve on some of her fundamentals, she can become an outstanding player.
“Adeline has a lot of potential,” Hernandez said. “She just has to realize that inside herself.”
Oetker appears to be realizing it already.
“I’m way too competitive,” Oetker said. “My goal is to lay back on the stressfulness.”
Following Li's example will be beneficial for Oetker. Li wants to enjoy the remaining weeks she has left as a high school tennis player before heading off to the University of Southern California in Los Angeles to major in electrical and computer engineering.
“I just want to finish my season playing well and to the best of my abilities because this is my last year,” Li said. “I think I’ve had a good four years, so I just want to do my best and have fun.”
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Jiwen Li and Adeline Oetker gain confidence for Ames girls tennis team
