CHANUTE — Playing together for the first time, Iola High juniors Hayden Wolf and Stephen McDonald went 2-1 in No. 2 doubles action at Chanute High’s five-team tennis meet Friday.
Wolf and McDonald claimed an 8-4 decision over Labette County High’s Aaron McCoach and Michael Banowetz. They defeated Chanute’s Alex Chrismas and Ryan Madden 8-2.
The only loss was 8-2 to Columbus’ Mark Guinn and Ben Miller.
Iola’s No. 1 doubles team of juniors Zeph Larney and Jordan Strickler came away with an 8-6 win over Columbus’ Austin Qualls and Joel Zwahlen. The Iola pair lost 8-4 decisions to Labette County’s Caleb Webster and Joshua Mathes and Chanute’s Jefferson Holmes and Tyler Dillow.
“Stephen and Hayden seemed to complement each other’s game. Jordan and Zeph had some really good points where they played doubles like I know they can. They also had times when they just couldn’t get things to work,” said Lyle Kern, Iola High boys’ tennis coach.
Senior Brad Bazo notched an 8-2 win over Ross Westervelt of Columbus playing in No. 1 singles division for the Mustangs. Bazo lost 8-0 to Labette County’s Colton Kessler and 8-2 to Chanute’s Ian Cheshier.
In No. 2 singles play, junior Drew Smith dropped all three matches in his first opportunity at singles. Smith lost 8-1 to both Labette County’s Aidan Carter and Chanute’s Danny Benovides. He lost 8-3 to Columbus’ Justin Garrison.
“Brad continued to play well at No. 1 singles but there are a lot of good players at that position,” Kern said.
“Drew played singles for the first time and really liked it. It forced him to move more on the court and unlike his coach really enjoyed the extra running.”
The Mustangs return to Chanute this Friday.
