IHS tennis team makes net gains at home meet

The 2014 tennis season is less than two weeks old, and Iola High’s tandem of Bryan Mueller and Colby Works already is in midseason form.
The Mustangs’ No. 1 doubles team picked up its ninth, 10th and 11th wins in a row Monday, allowing only four points on the day.
Mueller and Works combined to defeat Alex Porter and Nefty Valle of Columbus, 8-1, Austin Whitson and Trevor Ferguson of Independence, 8-3, and Jeff Cooper and Dequwan Wells of Parsons, 8-0.
“Their streak speaks for itself,” Iola tennis coach Joe Turner said. “They work well together.”
The steak highlights a strong day on the home court for the Mustangs, who won nine of 11 matches in their only home competition of the season.
Isaiah Fawson also went 3-0 on the day in No. 2 singles, defeating Gage Riker of Columbus, 8-4, Dan Grice of Independence, 8-2, and Kyle Hutley of Parsons, 8-0.
Iola’s No. 1 singles player, sophomore Tyler Heinrich, went 2-1. He defeated Ross Westervelt of Columbus, 8-5, and Christian Baldwin of Parsons, 8-1, while dropping an 8-1 decision to Joel Rice of Independence.
The Mustangs’ No. 2 doubles team of Mason Key and Rhett Allen went 1-1. They downed Rand Hurley and Adam Ball of Parsons, 8-4, and lost to Dimitri McCaffery and Garrett Whitson of Independence, 8-5.
Iola and Independence both went 9-2 on the day. Columbus went 2-7; Parsons 1-8.
Turner said the Mustangs have improved across the board as the season hits high gear.
“Tyler is so smooth and quiet on the court,” Turner said. “He just knows how to get things done, although I’d like to see some more aggression from him sometimes.
“Isaiah just keeps getting better and better every time out,” he continued. “Our No. 2 doubles team only got to play twice, so I really didn’t get to see them much. I’d really like to see how they develop as they get more experience.”
Doubles partners from any school would be advised to watch Mueller and Works.
The pair played together in 2013 in the first year of competitive tennis for both.
“Last year really helped us gain experience,” Mueller said. “We’ve really started clicking.”
In addition to daily practices after school, the pair worked together last summer and underwent extra training in spring break.
“We’re getting better at knowing how each other plays,” Works said. “We tend to start off slowly each match, but get better as we go.”
“We’re getting more comfortable with hitting the ball hard,” Mueller added. “That’s probably been our biggest difference.”
Still, challenges remain.
Iola will be at Pittsburg Thursday for what promises to be one of their toughest meets of the year. The Mustangs then travel to Chanute for meets on April 18 and 25 before wrapping up the regular season May 5 in Coffeyville.
An ultra-competitive Class 4A Regionals meet is May 9 and 10 for a chance at the state tournament.