PITTSBURG — Improvement was the name of the game Thursday for Iola High’s tennis.
The Fillies won six matches during the day.
Shelby Reno and Allyson Hobbs had the most successful day on the court for the Fillies as the No. 2 doubles team. They went 3-1 to take second-place medals.
They defeated Morris and Engle of Fort Scott, 8-5, and Stevenson and Page of Labette County in a 7-6 tie-breaker.
“The match against the Labette team was intense, with so many good and long points,” Iola head coach Jenn Bycroft said. “It was so exciting watching them tonight.”
Reno and 0Hobbs also won by default over Columbus, which didn’t field a second doubles team, and lost to Pichler and Sullivan of Pittsburg, 8-2.
“Shelby and Allyson worked hard tonight, and are really starting to connect with each other on the court,” Bycroft said.
MEGAN SMITH was a fitting example of showing improvement on the court, Bycroft said.
She started the day as Iola’s No. 1 singles player by losing to Kandice Rost of Fort Scott, 8-1, and Katy Short of Pittsburg, 8-0.
Smith fought tooth and nail against Labette County’s Emily McCoach before dropping an 8-6 decision.
She ended her day by thumping Kelci Atkinson of Columbus, 8-2.
“Megan played a lot tougher tonight, both physically and mentally,” Iola head coach Jenn Bycroft said. “She really doesn’t enjoy playing singles too much, but she never complains and does her best. She improved on the night. I was thrilled to see her finish it with a W.”
Katie Lieurance went 1-3 on the night. She dropped an 8-4 decision to Alex King of Fort Scott and an 8-0 setback to Katie Phalen of Pittsburg and an 8-2 loss to Selena Perez of Labette County. Lieurance ended her day with a default, 8-0 win over Columbus’ Abbey Peterson.
“Katie is still struggling with some health issues, but she always does her best and never gives up,” Bycroft said. “She had some nice passing shots tonight.”
Alexis Hobbs and Bobbi Sinclair dropped a tough, 8-4 decision to Char Hutchison and Emmah Reeves of Fort Scott in No. 1 doubles.
“I believe if we could replay that match, we would win that one,” Bycroft said. “We just had some silly mistakes and didn’t make adjustments, which cost us. Many of the games went to deuce, but just didn’t go our way.”
Alexis Hobbs and Sinclair fell to Long and Baden of Pittsburg and Smith and Closs of Labette County by identical 8-1 scores.
They, too, ended their day with a flourish, shutting out Murillo and Zahm of Columbus, 8-0.
“It was nice to see them end with a win,” Bycroft said.
