Iola’s Bobbie Sinclair earns third place tennis medal

Iola High’s varsity girl’s tennis team competed at Pittsburg State University last Thursday and Coffeyville on Monday.
At Pitt, Bobbi Sinclair placed third and earned a medal. Sinclair lost to Fort Scott’s Jennifer Harrison, 8-0 ,and Pitt’s Sam Cicero, 8-3. She beat Labette’s Emily McCoach, 8-5, and Columbus’ Lexi Murdock, 8-0.
“Bobbi played some of her best tennis,” coach Jenn Bycroft said. “She was consistent in her strokes, played long points leading to long games and finished third. I was excited to see her be able to medal. Bobbi always plays with a good attitude, which makes me proud as a coach.”
Chyanne Vaughn went 1-3 in two-seeded singles. Vaughn defeated Fort Scott’s Alex King, 8-6. She lost to Pitt’s Abie Felter, 8-2, Ashlee Beitzinger, 8-6, and Haley Page 8-6.
Iola’s No. 1 doubles team of Shelby Reno and Allyson Hobbs didn’t win any matches. Fort Scott won, 8-3, Pitt won, 8-0, Labette won, 8-0, and Columbus won, 8-3.
Baleigh Seeber and Tori Smith went 1-3 in doubles. The duo beat Columbus, 8-5. They lost to Fort Scott, 8-4, Pitt, 8-0, and Labette County, 8-4.

EVERYONE STRUGGLED at Coffeyville Monday. Sinclair went 1-3. Her lone win came against Pittsburg’s Trina Paul, 8-1. She lost to Chanute’s Abby Liudahl, 8-0, Coffeyville’s Sayaka Smith, 8-0, and Parsons’ Sammi Ford, 8-1.
Erin Klubek filled in for Vaughn as Iola’s No. 2 singles player. She lost her matches to Chanute’s Rachel Ungles, 8-0, Coffeyville’s Taylor Neal, 8-1, Pitt’s Chania Stewart, 8-0, and Parsons’ Amanda Rogers, 8-0.
“This is her first shot at varsity, and only her third time competing all season as a freshman,” Bycroft said. “I know the varsity level was difficult for her, but I know it was a good experience, too.”
Reno and Hobbs went 1-3 on the day. The pair beat Coffeyville, 8-2. The team lost to Chanute, 8-1, Pitt, 8-0, and Parsons, 8-1.
“Shelby struggled through her matches with strep throat,” Bycroft said. “She made it through them, but it was a difficult night.”
Seeber and Smith also went 1-3. They beat Coffeyville, 8-1. The duo fell to Chanute, 8-2, Pitt, 8-7 (7-5 loss in the tiebreaker), and Parsons, 8-1.
“Baleigh and Tori are doing a better job communicating with each other on the court,” Bycroft said. They are moving a little better. We still have a lot to work on as far as anticipating the ball, but they played some good matches.”
The varsity squad’s regular season is over for the year. The team will play at the regionals Oct. 10 in Chanute.