Charles City netters open season at Waverly-Shell Rock

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

WAVERLY  — The wind wasn’t just a factor during the Charles City girls tennis team’s season opener at Waverly-Shell Rock on Monday.

It also was a player of sorts.

During the No. 2 doubles match between the Comet tandem of Morgan Kellogg and Emilee Bilharz, and the Go-Hawks duo of Madi Overmann and Morgan Chandler, one of Charles City’s shots landed just over the net only to be blown back to the Comets’ side after it bounded up untouched.

There was a little confusion of who should be awarded the point. When the Go-Hawks admitted they didn’t make contact with the ball to aid the return, Charles City got the point.

The windy conditions weren’t so favorable to Charles City the rest of the set, as Waverly-Shell Rock won, 6-0. But Kellogg and Bilharz responded with a more game effort in the second set before losing 5-7.

“They fought back pretty well,” Charles City head coach Brian Parrott said of Kellogg and Bilharz. “They kept working even when they were down, and played much better at the end.”

The Go-Hawks won all the varsity singles and doubles matches in straight sets.

“They are one of the stronger teams in the area,” Parrott said.

Parrott was impressed by debut of Charles City freshman Jody Sindlinger.

“It was her first varsity match, and though she lost 4-1,” Parrott said of Sindlinger losing to Ashlyn Hughes 6-4, 6-1, “I was very impressed.”

The Comets will be back in action today when they travel to Decorah to take on the Lady Vikings.

“They’re another strong team,” Parrott said.

Most of the teams Charles City faces this season have indoor facilities to train during inclement weather. The Comets don’t have that luxury.

“That’s why I’m hoping we can someday use that gym space in the middle school for indoor,” Parrott said. “We practice when we can outdoors. It’s a matter getting things steady.”

Charles City at
Waverly-Shell Rock

SINGLES — 1. Chelsea Puesch (WSR) d. Morgan Kellogg 6-0, 6-1. 2. Hannah Fox (WSR) d. Julia Page 6-1, 6-0. 3. Madi Overmann (WSR) d. Sarah Barry 6-3, 6-1. 4. Krissy Weir (WSR) d. Emma Hiedebrink 6-1, 6-0. 5. Hannah Folberts (WSR) d. Emilee Bilharz 6-0, 6-1. 6. Ashlyn Hughes (WSR) d. Jody Sindlinger 6-4, 6-1.

DOUBLES — 1. Puesch-Fox (WSR) d. Page-Barry 6-1. 6-0. 2. Overmann-Morgan Chandler (WSR) d. Kellogg-Bilharz 6-0, 5-7. 3. Weir-Folberts (WSR) d. Hiedebrin