PLEASANT HILL — The youthful Marshalltown girls’ tennis team got some much-needed experience while finding nearly as much success in Tuesday’s season-opening dual at Southeast Polk.

The Bobcats’ debut went down to the last set of the last match on the court as Southeast Polk escaped with a 6-5 victory in CIML action. The two teams split singles play before the host Rams managed to take a third-set tiebreaker at No. 1 doubles to turn back Marshalltown.

Cassandra Lecompte and Regan Smith scored the first set of the No. 1 doubles bout, beating Southeast Polk’s top pairing of Gracie O’Donnell and Tricia Veldhuizen 7-5. The Rams’ duo got the second set, 7-6 (7-4), before jumping out to an early lead in the third-set match-breaker. O’Donnell and Veldhuizen finished off the 10-4 super tiebreaker.

“The match was as close as you can get,” said MHS head coach John Fiscus. “It was great having the girls play against other girls. After having 21 seniors graduating last year, the very young team had some important success on the courts.

“We will keep improving and tonight was the first step. For a team with only one letterwinner back from two years ago I am feeling excited about our future for this year and ones to come.”

Lecompte and Smith both contributed to Marshalltown’s singles victories, sweeping O’Donnell and Veldhuizen, respectively, in the Nos. 1 and 2 singles matches. Rebekah Downs added a 6-4, 6-4 triumph at No. 3, but Southeast Polk the other three singles contests.

Downs and Briana Hargrave won a straight-set match at No. 2 doubles, while Claire Bohan and Taylor Jones took a three-setter at No. 4 doubles, coming from behind for a 4-6, 6-1, (10-7) victory.

The Bobcats are back in action Thursday with their home opener against Ames.

Southeast Polk 6, Marshalltown 5

At Pleasant Hill

Singles

Cassandra Lecompte (MHS) def. Gracie O’Donnell, 6-2, 6-3

Regan Smith (MHS) def. Tricia Veldhuizen, 6-3, 6-2

Rebekah Downs (MHS) def. Karsyn Moore, 6-4, 6-4

Lauryn Snyder (SEP) def. Brianna Hargrave, 6-2, 6-3

Lily O’Donnell (SEP) def. Emily Diggins, 6-0, 6-0

Kenadi Johnson (SEP) def. Grace Bethel, 6-1, 6-1

Doubles

G. O’Donnell and Veldhuizen (SEP) def. Lecompte and Smith, 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), (10-4)

Downs and Hargrove (MHS) def. Moore and Snyder, 6-4, 7-5

L. O’Donnell and Johnson (SEP) def. Diggins and Bethel, 6-1, 6-2

Claire Bohan and Taylor Jones (MHS) def. Katie Pottebaum and Kelsi Rupert, 4-6, 6-1, (10-7)

Ellie Dove and Gracie Much (SEP) def. Marianna Albarracin and Ava Lucas, 6-1, 6-0