PARSONS — Iola High’s girls tennis season came to an end Saturday at the Class 4A Regional Tournament.
Five Iola competitors ventured to Parsons for the competition. And while none came away with a victory, head coach Chris Belknap pointed to improvements on and off the court in declaring the year a success.
“I know the players had fun this year and learned plenty about themselves that can be applied to everyday life,” Belknap said. “No matter the sport, no matter who wins, just take something away from it each day and you will be successful and have fun doing it.”
A pair of Fillies freshmen, Keira Fawson and Rebekah Coltrane, came closest to nabbing victory.
After dropping their first set, 6-1, to a doubles team from Labette County, Fawson and Coltrane took the second set to a tiebreaker before falling, 7-5.
“As freshmen, these two are fun to watch,” Belknap said. “I can’t wait to see what they will accomplish over the next three years.”
Iola’s other doubles team of Sidney and Miah Shelby held the 11th seed and took on a team from Chanute.
The Shelbys dropped the first set, 6-1, before ratcheting up their play in the second. The Shelby sisters ultimately lost the second set, 6-4, to see their seasons come to an end. Sidney Shelby is a senior.
“She will be missed,” Belknap said. “Through the season, I have had a great time coaching these two, because they are very coachable. They ask questions, they listen and give feedback to coaching in a good way.”
Belknap said Miah Shelby likely will focus on singles play next year as a senior.
Jessica Tidd fell 6-0, 6-0 to a player from Chanute.
“She played very well and made some great progress throughout the season,” Belknap said. As with the elder Shelby, Belknap said Tidd’s presence on the team was a welcome one, and she will be missed by her teammates next season.
The Class 4A State Tennis Tournament is Friday and Saturday at the Kossover Tennis Center in Topeka.
