CHANUTE The Iola tennis team put forward its best performance of the season so far on Thursday in Chanute where they finished second overall.
Iolas 13 total wins were just behind Pittsburgs 15. Fort Scott finished third with six wins, Chanute finished fourth with five wins and Columbus ended up fifth with one win.
Junior number one singles player Allie Utley led the way for Iola with an undefeated 4-0 night and a first-place finish.
Utley opened up with a tough 8-6 win over Pittsburg before beating Columbus 8-2, Fort Scott 8-0 and Chanute 8-2.
Allie won the first game of the match and I think from the start, that gave her the confidence she needed to push through to an 8-6 win, head coach Jennifer Bycroft said. Though Pittsburg isnt in our regional, this really is a good win going into tournament time.
Senior number two singles player Jennifer Tidd finished third with three wins.
She opened the meet with an 8-2 loss to Pittsburg but rebounded in her final matches, beating Columbus 8-2, Fort Scott 8-6 and Chanute 8-0.
Jennifer is playing some good tennis right now, Bycroft said. She has played all 4 years for the team and she has gotten stronger and is placing her shots really well. Ive seen her really grow as a player, and the wins that she gets truly shows on her face.
The number one doubles team of Gabby Richards and Carlie Payne finished second with a 3-1 record.
They also lost 8-6 to Pittsburg before beating Columbus 8-4, Fort Scott 8-3 and Chanute 8-4.
These two fight hard for the wins that they get, Bycroft said. I know I counted at least nine deuces in a couple of their matches they played. They lost a tough match against Pitt, and started their match versus Fort Scott a little inconsistent, but because these two never give up, came back and beat them 8-3. Gabbys serve has really improved and Carlie was awesome at the net tonight.
Kassy and Sidney Shelby wrapped things up for Iola at the number two doubles spot, finishing the night in second place with a 3-1 record.
They fell to Pittsburg 8-5 to open the match but got wins against Columbus (8-5), Fort Scott (8-4) and Chanute (8-3) to close out the evening.
The Shelby sisters are so fun to watch, Bycroft said. They had a great win over Fort Scott. One of the girls had been playing at the number one doubles spot, so this was huge for them. The number two doubles team from Pittsburg was pretty solid, and even though the Shelbys didnt get that win, it was a good score.
Iola junior varsity will head to Parsons Monday night before varsity heads to Pittsburg on Thursday.
