It is another busy day for Knoxville sports as the girls tennis squad is going to host Pella at the Joel Tonda Tennis Courts. The Panthers lost to Norwalk on Tuesday 9-0. The soccer squads both play Carlisle at different sites tonight. The girls play their home opener at the newly renovated Randy Wilson Track. The Panthers look to showcase the new turf and other additions. Coach Matt Ritchhart tells KNIA/KRLS Sports after a 0-2 start to the season gets even tougher with a Carlisle squad that finished 2nd in the Raccoon River Conference last year.

“Carlisle got 2nd in the Raccoon River last year behind a state team in North Polk. We want to play those Little Hawkeye Conference Teams, Raccoon River teams so we can become better.”

For the boys, it is their season opener against the Wildcats in Carlisle tonight. Coach Dylan Mick tells KNIA/KRLS Sports he may have the most depth he has ever had and wants to play an up tempo pressure style so as to wear out the opponent.

“If we keep that pressure on the team and are unrelenting for the first 60 minutes and they’re gassing that last 20 minutes when it’s winning time, we’re going to have the legs and the ability to keep the pressure on and win games.”

The Panthers are coming off a 9-8 campaign last year with several key returners back this season. Kick off at both Carlisle and Knoxville is set for 7:00. Due to the weather some of the Knoxville schedule has been adjusted. The girls track meet at Clarke has been tentatively postponed to Friday, while the boys tennis meeting with North Polk has also been postponed to Friday. Stay tuned to KNIA/KRLS for updates on today’s schedule.