After a couple of early hiccups, the Webster City girls’ tennis team is finding their footing.

Playing host to Nevada for a non-conference matchup, held last Thursday evening at the Lynx Courts in Webster City, the purple and gold cruised past the Cubs in a 9-0 decision.

Seniors Trinity Griffith and Joslin Gourley scored 10-4 victories in singles competition, and rattled off a 10-4 win together in the doubles side of the meet. Freshman Allie Severe, sophomore Cyra Christensen, Kinzey Koestner took home victories, while senior Izzy Feldhause — in her varsity debut — won in both singles and doubles matches.

According to WCHS head girls’ tennis coach Mark Fisher, his team is putting everything that they’ve learned and applying it on the court.

“It was just a really great all-around effort for the entire meet,” Fisher said. “Our energy and effort were much better, as was our execution. It’s been fun to see these girls continue to soak up everything we’re trying to give them in practice, and then watching them bring that to the courts.”

“We also really did a great job of dictating points, in both singles and doubles,” Fisher continued. “I thought Nevada had some very talented girls with some great strokes, but I just thought our girls played smarter and were more aggressive in the big moments.”

Next up for the Lynx girls, who improved to 1-2 in their 2023 campaign, is a showdown with Iowa Falls-Alden. The meet between Webster City and the Cadets is set for 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday at Assembly Park in Iowa Falls.

Griffith continued to flourish as Webster City’s top representative, defeating junior August Martinez in a 10-4 result. Gourley was just as impressive, beating Paige Handsacker with a 10-4 win.

“Trinity absolutely dominated her match against a very good opponent,” Fisher said. “Not only has her confidence grown at the number one spot, but also her ability to think through the game and the tactics just keeps growing exponentially. Joslin also played a very smart and dominant match. She’s had a lot of success the past two years, but it’s great to see her continue to look to grow and improve upon that success.”

Severe chalked up her first victory of the season, securing a 10-6 win over Emma DePenning.

“It was great to see Allie get her first win,” Fisher said. “Allie’s been someone that’s been coming to our open courts and working with the program since she was in middle school and has really stepped in nicely at number three this year. Allie continues to really develop the mental side of the game to go with the strokes she has worked so hard on already.”

Christensen fared well, outlasting Meagan McGaffin with a 10-7 victory, while Koestner dug deep to score an 11-9 victory over Brooklyn Estes.

Feldhause had a great match in her debut, defeating Allie Dittmer with a 10-6 decision.

“It was great to see (Feldhause) step into the number six spot after earning that position (on Wednesday) and then, coming out and dominating her match,” Fisher said. “She doesn’t have the flashy strokes, but she’s a competitor and knows how to work the court tactically.”

In doubles’ action, Griffith and Gourley handled Handsacker and DePenning with a 10-4 final score.

Feldhause and Koestner teamed up against Martinez and McGaffin, which resulted in a 10-7 win over the Lynx. Severe and junior Addie Tesdahl took care of Estes and Dittmer with a 10-5 victory.

“Izzy and Kinzey did a fantastic job at the two-doubles,” said Fisher. “They just played with such energy and they complemented each other so well. I was really impressed with how well they played against two very good tennis players.”

“I loved the immediate chemistry between Allie and Addie,” Fisher added. “I think their personalities complement each other perfectly. They played tactically smart, played aggressive, made adjustments, just played a really dominant and well played doubles match.”