NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – Junior Madyson Boriskey serves in a meet earlier in the season. Boriskey competed in the #1 singles place for STC at Marion on Aug. 15.

MARION — The STC girls tennis team traveled to Marion on Friday, Aug. 15, to compete in their first meet of the year against a fellow WaMaC opponent. Playing in their third meet in four days, the Trojans had to battle the elements as the heat index rose to around 100 degrees at the time of their match. By the end of the competition, STC had dropped the meet to the Wolves, 7-2. However, the squad had secured their first match wins of the young season after previously being shut out by Mount Vernon and Boone.

The Trojans picked up their first win when sophomore Ava Boldt defeated Marion’s Maddi Vanpelt in #2 singles play. The second win for STC came at #6 singles when senior Lilith Duncan defeated the Wolves’ Leah Williams. Duncan secured the victory by a score of 8-1.

“I’m very proud of this team,” said Trojan head coach Steve Bearden. “Ava and Lilith deserved those wins. I’m very happy for them.”

Junior Madyson Boriskey continued to play at #1 singles for STC and squared off against Marion’s Kennedy Barnhart. Barnhart jumped out to a 5-2 lead before Boriskey battled back to get within a score of 6-5. But in the end, Barnhart pulled away to a close 8-5 victory. Afterward, Bearden praised Boriskey’s efforts.

“Mady is a phenomenal athlete. Every time she hits the courts she gets better,” he said.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT – Sophomore Ava Boldt competes in a meet earlier in the season. Boldt secured one of STC's two victories on Aug. 15 against Marion.

In other Varsity action, the Trojans received strong efforts from their remaining single players. These included: junior Grace Gomez (#3 singles), freshman Cate Hardon (#4 singles), and freshman Amilia Bullshoe (#6 singles).

STC also fell to the Wolves in Junior Varsity play. The Trojans competed with: freshman Isabel Gomez, junior Diana Lorenzo Agustin, sophomore Abriella Bullshoe, freshman Addysin Gross, and sophomore Keyleigh Rangel.

After the meet, Bearden reflected on the challenge of playing so many matches early in the season.

“What the team really needs is time on court to practice and develop their skills. Unfortunately, our schedule hasn’t allowed that to happen with five meets in nine days. At the same time, they remain resilient and are patient,” he said.

Up next for the Trojans is a home meet against Nevada on Monday, Aug. 25. This will be followed by a home meet on Thursday, Aug. 28 against Grinnell. Both meets will take place at the STC high school tennis complex.