Maasdam Wins SCC Singles Title, Knoxville Places 2nd In Team Standings
Knoxville’s Janie Maasdam won her second straight South Central Conference individual tennis title, but it was Clarke that took the team title 29-21 over the Panthers at the Joel Tonda Tennis Courts on Tuesday. Maasdam took out Megan Teno of Albia in the quarterfinals 6-3, 6-0 then defeated Veronica Hayes of Centerville in the semifinals and beat Ali Henry in the finals. Natalie Collins placed 3rd as she defeated Ella Schooley of Davis County before getting knocked off by Henry of Clarke in the semifinals. Collins came back to win the 3rd place match over Hayes of Centerville. In doubles, The Panthers placed both teams in the top five as Kate Schneider and Mackenzie Karr defeated a team from Centerville 6-4, 6-2 but lost to a team from Clarke in the semifinals before winning their 3rd place match. Marlea Cox and Iselynn Prevo battled back from a quarterfinals loss to win three matches in the consolation round to take 5th place. Coach Nick DeMoss tells KNIA/KRLS Sports he thinks his team is getting better at the right time of the season.
DeMoss: “Everyday we’re getting a little bit better. That’s your end goal and hopefully we’re hitting our stride on May 6th and get some girls to qualify for State.”
The Panthers will take on Oskaloosa on Thursday. The rest of the Knoxville Sports day was either called off early before the storms moved through Tuesday evening or barely got started. The Boys Golf Squad, who is currently 3rd in class 3A according to the Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association, traveled all the way to Atlantic just to play four holes of an 18 hole meet. After enduring several weather delays, officials decided to call off the meet. The Panthers head to the Gilbert Invitational at the Ames Golf and Country Club Saturday. Also not getting a chance to compete on Tuesday was both boys and girls soccer. The girls were scheduled to play Centerville and the boys Perry. Both were postponed with a date yet to be announced.
Photo: From Knoxville Girls Tennis X