Last week, both the girls and boys STC tennis programs participated in their postseason regional play.

On Wednesday, May 14, the boys team traveled to Waterloo to compete in the IHSAA Individual Regional Tennis Tournament. The Trojans were led by a strong showing from the doubles team of junior Tanner Large and senior Ian Vore, as they were able to advance to the quarterfinal round. Large and Vore started off hot in the round of 16, winning the first set 6-1 against Maquoketa’s Cody Haan and Tyson Knight. In the second set, the Cardinals’ duo jumped out to a 4-1 lead.

But Large and Vore stormed back to even the score at 4-4 as a result of stellar net play by Large and a consistent return game from Vore. Large and Vore went on to take three of the final four games to secure the second set and the match win, 6-1, 7-5. In the quarterfinal round, Large and Vore fell to the #3 seeded team of Bock Mueller and Nick Smith from Dubuque Wahlert, 6-1, 6-0. STC’s second entry in the doubles division was the team of juniors Jayce McCollister and Drew Mellies. McCollister and Mellies matched up against Will Sahm and Jet Heiderscheit of Western Dubuque.

The Bobcat duo went on to a straight set victory to advance to the quarterfinals. In singles action, STC senior Marten Langen drew Luc Schumacher of Maquoketa in the round of 16. After an entertaining match full of multi-shot rallies, Schumacher pulled away for a 6-1, 6-0 win. The Trojan’s second singles entry was junior Marcus Bear. Bear competed hard against Maquoketa’s Vincent Ball, but Ball went on to win with a straight set victory.

On Friday, May 16, the Trojan girls tennis team hosted Dike-New Hartford in the first round of the IGHSAU team regional play. The Trojans (2-13) knew they faced a tough opponent in the Wolverines, who had racked up a season record of 16-1. Facing a talented opponent and gusty winds, STC dropped the match, 5-0. However, upon reflection, the Trojans were able to play some of their best tennis of the season.

The Trojans were led at #1 singles by senior Hannah Houghton (5-7), who faced D-NH’s Izzy Norton (12-4) in a highly competitive match. After dropping the first set by a score of 6-2, Houghton battled back in the second set. But Norton was able to gain the necessary service break to snatch the victory, 6-3. STC senior Brooklyn Hitchcock (2-8) took to the court in #2 singles and faced Aidalyn Tott (14-2). Despite a match that featured entertaining points game after game, Tott got the better of Hitchcock on the scoreboard. Hitchcock fell 6-0, 6-0. In #3 singles, STC senior Nevaeh Mathes (1-10) faced Addy Joslin (17-0). The talented players exchanged blows early on but Joslin remained undefeated with a 6-0, 6-0 victory.

Trojan senior Kylie Husak (4-8) raced to a quick lead at #4 singles against Lauren Muller (16-1). But Muller was able to recover to grab a victory of 6-3, 6-0. In #5 singles action, STC sophomore Madyson Boriskey (3-7) took on DNH’s Haley Badker. Badker was able to secure the opening set, 6-1. But in a much more competitive second set, Boriskey improved her first serve percentage and utilized her foot speed to keep pace. However, Badker was able to post a 6-1, 6-3 win for DNH. Finally, in #6 singles play, Trojan sophomore Grace Gomez (0-8) played her best tennis of the season against Kiersten Christiansen. Gomez went up 2-1 before Christiansen stormed back to grab the set, 6-2. At the time that DNH secured the dual meet victory, Christiansen led 6-2, 5-2.

At the end of the week, both programs had competed hard under head coaches Andrea Rutledge (boys) and Steve Bearden (girls). The regional action completed each of the program’s 2025 campaigns.