Tennis newcomer Cassandra Klostermann prepares for a backhand during a meet last week.

On Thursday April 6, the STC Girls Tennis Team traveled to Independence to face the Mustangs in WaMaC Conference action. Independence defeated the Trojans with a final score of 9-0.

Senior Alondra Bolanos-Lupian continued her run at #1 Singles facing Keely Post. Post played dominant tennis to record an 8-0 victory. Senior Kara Nachazel faced Marie Gorman at #2 Singles, ultimately losing 2-8.

Hannah Houghton stepped up at #3 Singles playing the most competitive singles match of the night. Houghton fought but ultimately came up short in a 3-8 loss. Sophomore #4 Brooke Hitchcock dropped a 1-8 match to her Independence opponent. #5 Katie Husak went down in an 8-1 loss. Sophomore Neveah Mathes was called upon last minute to substitute at #6 Singles when a teammate fell ill. She faced Lauren Hamilton from Independence. Mathes’ lack of experience proved fatal in an 0-8 loss.

South Tama’s three pairs of doubles teams played hard but were outmatched by the conference opponent.

Bolanos-Lupian/Nachazel fell 8-1

Houghton/Hitchcock 8-4 loss

Husak/Mathes 2-8 defeat

Oskaloosa outdoes Trojans

During their brief spring break, the STC Girls Tennis Team traveled to Oskaloosa, where they won a few matches but were ultimately bested.

Oskaloosa was near flawless at #1 and #2 Singles, winning 20 of 21 games played. Both Bolanos-Lupian and Nachazel fell to their opponents, with scores of 1-10 and 0-10 respectively.

At #3 Singles, Sophomore Hannah Houghton faced Ava Ridenour. Houghton grabbed the first game of the match to set an early tone. She advanced on to a 2-1 lead before Ridenour seized momentum. She took the match 10-3 to continue Oskaloosa’s lead in singles play.

Down but not out, the Trojans rallied back with wins #4 and #5 Singles. Sophomore Brooke Hitchcock faced Jenna DeBoef at #4. Racing to an early 4-0 lead. Both players split the next few games. The STC Sophomore eventually won 10-5.

Like Hitchcock, Katie Husak mounted a 10-5 win for the Trojans. Husak has shown remarkable growth in her senior season. Taking control of the match early against Hanna Nelson. Building a 5-0 lead, then squashing a comeback attempt by Nelson.

Cassandra Klostermann is new to the tennis team as a senior, splitting her time with track. Her raw talent earned her the #6 spot on the tennis lineup.

“The thing that made me want to go out for tennis the most was a couple of my friends play. Last year I went to a couple of meets, and it looked like a lot of fun. Everyone always seemed like they were having a good time even though they were taking things seriously,” she said.

Klostermann with nerves early led to her falling behind. Despite showing potential, Klostermann fell 0-10.

The Oskaloosa onslaught continued through doubles action. The Trojans ended up receiving losses in all of the doubles matches

#1 Doubles, Bolanos-Lupian and Nachazel were defeated 10-2.

Houghton/Hitchcock in #2 Doubles lost 0-10.

Doubles #3 Husak/Klostermann fell in a 11-9 loss