PARSONS — Faced with some of their toughest competition of the season Friday, Iola High’s Fillies tennis team failed to advance to the second day of the Class 4A Regionals, but still showed marked improvement on the season.
Each of the Iola entries were faced with players ranked in the top six of the regional, coach Jenn Bycroft noted.
Iola’s Megan Smith went 1-1 on the day. She started out quickly, jumping out to a 5-1 lead, and held from there in a 9-4 victory over Chelsea Burroughs of Coffeyville’s Field Kindley High in a play-in match to secure the 11th seed.
Smith’s season ended in the second round, with a 6-0, 6-0 defeat at the hand of sixth seed, Chanute High’s Rebecca Wendt.
Iola’s two doubles teams both dropped their opening matches.
Alexis Hobbs and Bobbi Sinclair, the 14th seed, fell to third-seeded Bree Rogers and Kelsey Jump of Parsons, 6-0, 6-0.
Shelby Reno and Allyson Hobbs, seeded 15th, fell to second seed Dee Mendoza and Carringtyn Julian of Independence, 6-1, 6-0.
“Advancing to (today’s) round just didn’t happen for us today,” Bycroft said. I was thrilled for Megan that she won her first match. That always helps the confidence. She played really well.
“Though our doubles teams didn’t get the victory today, I was pleased with how they played,” Bycroft continued. “Both teams were up against some tough competition. We finally started to adjust to how they were playing in the second set. It just didn’t give us enough time to bounce back, though.”
Iola loses three seniors, Smith, Alexis Hobbs and Katie Lieurance, who missed the regionals because of illness.
“As a coach, it’s always tough and emotional seeing your seniors sad because it’s their last match in high school,” Bycroft said. “I’m really going to miss them, but I’m excited to see what their future plans are. I was proud of my whole regional team today. They all showed super sportsmanship, and they have a lot of fun while playing.”
IHS tennis season ends
