The Iola High School Mustang tennis team got the spring sports season started on the right foot after sweeping Independence and Parsons in their home opener Thursday.
The Mustangs went undefeated while facing larger foes from the Southeastern Kansas conference, which Coach Chris Belknap hopes bodes well as Iola moves forward.
“The weather was perfect. The play was perfect,” Belknap said. “It was a really good first day. We’re starting to get everything going early.”
In singles action, Mosiah Fawson took his first match of his high school career with a victory over Independence’s Quinlan Boyer 8-0. He followed it with a bit more contentious match with Parsons’ Kai Gregory, but pulled away with an 8-4 victory.
Iola High School senior No. 2 doubles player Donovan Nee returns a serve during Thursday’s home opener against Independence.
In No. 2 singles, junior Trapper Boren opened the day with an 8-2 victory over Independence’s Broday Cooley, then defeated Parsons’ Alex Hicks in straight sets 8-0.
Belknap said they will use Thursday’s success to hone their skills.
“It will be great just to talk to each of the players and say ‘Hey, what did you do and how did you feel about it?’” Belknap said.
“That communication will help us learn from each other and build from there.”
In doubles action, Iola’s No. 1 team of Ethan Riebel and Brody Thompson narrowly defeated Independence’s duo of Logan Peschka and J.D. Woodburn, but cruised to victory 8-0 over Parsons’ Landon Swafford and Gio Sanchez.
Riebel attributed Thursday’s doubles success to a special bond he has with Thompson. The two are cousins.
“I spend a lot of time out here playing. I felt decent,” Riebel said.
In No. 2 doubles action, Donovan Nee and Harley Blankenship swept their games. They won an 8-5 victory over Independence’s Draven Anderson and Zayne Al-Brunei 8-5.
With Parsons fielding only one doubles team, Nee and Blankenship gave Anderson and Al-Brunei another chance to even the score. Nee and Blankenship emerged victorious 8-5.
Due to spring break, the Mustangs will have a lengthy layover before they return to action March 31 on the road against Independence. 
No. 1 doubles player Brody Thompson digs up a server in the second game of Thursday’s triangular.
“I’m stoked. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season,” Belknap said.
