With three novices playing for Iola High’s Mustang tennis team, it is on-the-job training as the team begins the 2012 season.
After no match wins in their opener Tuesday, the Mustangs played at home Thursday and recorded four victories.
Iola’s No. 2 doubles team of juniors Drew Smith and Hayden Wolf, who is a first-year player, took second in its division. The pair went 2-1 on the day.
Smith and Wolf beat Nick Mackenson and Austin Cowalls of Columbus 8-4 . They came out on top of a tiebreaker match 8-7 (7-3) against Parsons’ True Williamson and Jett Cooper.
The duo lost 8-1 to Independence’s Austin Whitson and Trevor Ferguson.
In No. 2 singles, Jordan Strickler defeated Parsons’ Andres Jarrett 8-1. Strickler fell 8-1 to Collin Cushing of Independence. Columbus did not have a player in the division and Strickler finished second.
The Mustangs’ two first-ever tennis players — senior Brad Bazo and junior Stephen McDonald — notched their first victory of the season. They were tied 4-4 with Parsons’ Randy Hurley and Chance Hurley, then reeled off three set victories and won 8-5.
Bazo and McDonald lost 8-3 to Columbus’ Blake Mackenson and Andre McLane to open the day. They dropped an 8-3 decision to A.J. Capps and Steve Conley of Independence, finishing third.
Zeph Larney, a junior, was back after missing Tuesday’s matches because of illness. Larney is Iola’s No. 1 singles player and didn’t win a match Thursday.
“Zeph is still getting over his illness,” said Lyle Kern, Iola High boys’ tennis coach.
Larney lost 8-0 to Cody Spainhower of Columbus. He dropped two 8-2 matches to Parsons’ Zach Larson and Independence’s Aldan Goodrich.
Independence finished first as a team. Iola, Parsons and Columbus all tied for second.
“Our serves are improving but we will continue to work on them,” Kern said.
The Mustangs have two weeks to work, although next week is Iola’s spring break, as they don’t have another meet until the last week of the month.
Iola along with Pittsburg, Columbus and Chanute go to Coffeyville on March 29.
