PITTSBURG — Iola High’s tennis team wrapped up regular season play Tuesday at Pittsburg State University.
Leading the charge was Iola’s No. 1 doubles team of Miah and Sidney Shelby, who went 2-2 to capture third place on the day.
The sisters Shelby defeated Tyra Bogle and Grace Thompson of Chanute, 8-5, and Emma Brown and Layla Bradfield of Labette County, 8-3. The Shelbys dropped an 8-1 decision to Gracen Friess and Jaidyn Schultz of Parsons and an 8-1 match to Emma Lawson and Emily McGown of Pittsburg.
Keira Fawson went 1-3 on the day to take fourth in No. 1 singles action.
Fawson defeated Elsie Sorrell of Labette County, 8-6. She dropped an 8-4 match to Aimee Maxton, Chanute, an 8-3 setback to Lauren Farris of Parsons and an 8-1 match to Marci Brown of Pittsburg.
Jessica Tidd suited up in No. 2 singles action, also going 1-3 for fourth overall.
Tidd picked up an 8-0 default win while playing Eve Moss of Pittsburg. She dropped an 8-1 decision to Madi Hayward of Labette County and 8-0 matches to Aailya Colding of Chanute and Gabby Sasjaka of Pittsburg.
Fillies head coach Chris Belknap spoke about the girls’ experience in a most unusual 2020 tennis season.
“This season, being my second, has taught me a few valuable lessons about coaching someone to be persistent and keep a positive attitude regardless of the outcome,” Belknap said. “We always hear about keeping a positive attitude about something and sometimes that is tough, but we have to push through and keep trying. The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Well, don’t do that. Learn something, no matter how small. Take away from the experience and make it better.
“I think we did that this year as a team and individually and I count that as a success,” Belknap said.
Iola next suits up for Class 4A regional play Oct. 10 at Parsons.
