Comet netters drop home-opener against Wolverines

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — Charles City’s girls varsity tennis season-opener against Dike-New Hartford on Thursday was not quite a “Picture Perfect Day”.

But it was an improvement from “Picture Day” the day before.

Somehow, the Comets were able to refrain from shivering long enough in their season uniforms to remain in focus during the individual and team photos while braving a blustery wind that reminded one that spring can be just as brutal as winter when it wants to be.

The sun came out for the Comets’ home match against the Wolverines at Sportsmen’s Park, and though the temperatures were still on the chilly side, the wind decided to take a day off after a busy week.

The Wolverines swept the Comets 9-0 in the varsity matches, though Charles City did manage to extend play in several single pro sets up to eight.

The Comets’ No. 2 singles pair, consisting of seniors Maggie Boss and Liz Oleson, proved to be a challenge for DNH’s Izzy Norton and Aida Tott, who won the set 8-6.

Later in singles, Oleson lost to senior Anna Frahm 8-4 at No. 3 and Boss lost to sophomore Norton by the same score — Frahm was up 7-1 before Boss rallied to win three straight games and was a point away from forcing a “deuce” in the 12th game played in the set after Frahm went up 40-love.

Charles City senior Katie Prichard lost to Wolverine senior Madelyn Norton 8-3 in the No. 1 singles match that featured the longest rallies of the dual meet.

“She played really well,” Charles City coach Brian Parrott said of Prichard. “The match was much closer than what the score revealed.”

Wolverine senior Misty Herreld defeated Comet senior Sophia Jensen 8-0 in their No. 2 singles match; DHN senior Ellie Knock defeated Comet junior Hannah Hoffman 8-0 in their No. 4 singles match; and in the No. 6 singles match, Tott defeated junior Rylee DeBoest, who managed to win a game after falling behind 7-0 to avoid the sweep ahead of an 8-1 final.

Madelyn Norton and Harreld defeated Prichard and Jensen 8-1 in No. 1 doubles; and Frahm and Knock defeated DeBoest and Hoffman in No. 3 doubles.

“They’re a good team,” Parrott said of the Wolverines.

The Comets did record several junior varsity match wins against DHN on Thursday, and Wednesday of last week (March 29), Charles City defeated Mason City 5-4 in a JV match with Alexis VerMeer and Alexis Eaves winning both in singles and doubles; and Marissa Avelar, Alex Wright, Koryn Osier and Kylie Parsons winning in either singles or doubles matches.