FORT DODGE — The doubles depth that helped deliver consecutive double-digit winning seasons stood up again on Tuesday evening for the Marshalltown girls’ tennis team.
Playing their first Iowa Alliance Conference match of the inaugural fall season, the Bobcats broke a 3-all tie through singles play with a 4-1 advantage in doubles to down host Fort Dodge 7-4 on the Dodgers’ home courts.
A pivotal win from Marshalltown senior Lilyia Christen at No. 3 singles helped stem a strong start from Fort Dodge during singles action. Christen dropped the first set but rallied to win in three, beating Mia Carpenter 4-6, 6-2, (10-6) to help the Bobcats break even.
Marshalltown (2-0, 1-0) used the momentum to get back the control with three-straight doubles sweeps to seal the victory.
Chrisen, Jorja Janssen at No. 4 and Grace Diggins at No. 6 singles earned wins for MHS, and the Bobcats put the dual away in doubles play.
Hanna Osgood and Kaelyn Coleman captured a 6-0, 6-0 shutout over Caitlyn Uhlenhopp and Lily Sheeder at No. 4 doubles, and Trista Bratland teamed with Ellison Wittkop at No. 5 doubles to deliver a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Leah Meyer and Taylor Martin.
The No. 1 doubles team of Kate Sandvick and Ellie Downs came through with the clinching win, defeating their Fort Dodge counterparts Manuela Rodriguez and Madge Hensley in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4.
Rodriguez and Hensley had won their singles matches over Sandvick and Downs, respectively, but couldn’t come through when the meet was on the line.
“Kate and Ellie bounced back well from two tough singles losses to experienced players,” said MHS head coach James Christensen. “Kate served incredibly in doubles and Ellie was super clutch at the net.”
Marshalltown’s No. 2 doubles team of Christen and Janssen put the final point on the team tally with a three-set thriller over Carpenter and Grace Rivera, winning 6-2, 3-6, (11-9). Fort Dodge (0-4, 0-1) won a three-set super-tiebreaker at No. 4 doubles to finish out the contest.
“Super tiebreakers were tough at 2 and 3, but Lilyia and Jorja fought hard and came out ahead,” Christensen said. “Our 4 and 5 doubles were super clutch in their first varsity matches. Kaelyn, Trista, Hanna and Ellison have been working really hard and improved so much.”
Marshalltown’s first home meet of the fall season is Thursday at the Marshalltown Court Complex. The Bobcats meet Mason City at 10 a.m., the Riverhawks square off with Ottumwa at 1 p.m., and MHS battles the Bulldogs at 4 p.m.
Marshalltown 7, Fort Dodge 4
SINGLES
Manuela Rodriguez (FD) def. Kate Sandvick, 6-4, 6-1
Madge Hensley (FD) def. Ellie Downs, 6-3, 6-2
Lilyia Christen (MHS) def. Mia Carpenter, 4-6, 6-2, (10-6)
Jorja Janssen (MHS) def. Grace Rivera, 6-1, 6-0
Teagan Loots (FD) def. Taylor Bear, 6-4, 6-3
Grace Diggins (MHS) def. Brooklyn Kaloupek, 6-1, 6-2
DOUBLES
Sandvick and Downs (MHS) def. Rodriguez and Hensley, 7-5, 6-4
Christen and Janssen (MHS) def. Carpenter and Rivera, 6-2, 3-6, (11-9)
Loots and Kaloupek (FD) def. Bear and Diggins, 6-2, 0-6, (10-3)
Hanna Osgood and Kaelyn Coleman (MHS) def. Caitlyn Uhlenhopp and Lily Sheeder, 6-0, 6-0
Trista Bratland and Ellison Wittkop (MHS) def. Leah Meyer and Taylor Martin, 6-4, 6-2
