PHOTO PROVIDED - The Marshalltown girls’ tennis team poses for a photograph following its season-opening meet against Union Community on Friday morning in La Porte City. The Bobcats beat the Knights 7-2 in the first contest in the inaugural fall girls’ tennis season.

LA PORTE CITY — In a season of firsts, the Marshalltown girls’ tennis team added another: its first win.

The Bobcats beat Union Community 7-2 on Friday morning to open the first season of fall girls tennis across Iowa, bolstering the win by taking the majority of singles matches.

Marshalltown won four of the six singles contests in the best-of-nine dual meet against the host Knights, who went 10-7 a year ago and returned three varsity singles players.

The Bobcats claimed two of three singles matches against Union’s returners as part of the 4-2 advantage.

Kate Sandvick kicked off the season with an 8-0 shutout victory at No. 1 singles. Sandvick, a state doubles qualifier in the spring, defeated Adalynn Engel in the opener.

Lilyia Christen took an 8-5 match from returner Madison Martin at No. 3 singles, and Jorja Janssen was an 8-4 victor over returning starter Kamryn Foulk at No. 4.

Grace Diggins added an 8-5 triumph over Addie Pospisil at No. 6 singles to help the Bobcats get a headstart.

Marshalltown’s Ellie Downs fell at No. 2 singles, 8-3 to Alivia Keegan, and Taylor Bell was defeated 8-3 by Bailey Brown.

In doubles play, Sandvick and Downs teamed up to take an 8-3 win over Keegan and Martin, while Christen and Janssen scored an 8-3 triumph over Brown and Pospisil as the Bobcats secure the dual meet victory.

Bear and Diggins completed the doubles sweep with an 8-4 victory at No. 3 over Foulk and Lauren Frush.

“Kate and Ellie knocked off some early serving rust and played really well in doubles,” said head coach James Christensen. “In their first varsity play it was great to see Lily, Jorja, Taylor and Grace all get a win.

“There was a lot of learning going on out there and to get a win against a seasoned Union team that got 10 wins last year was a great result after just four days of practice.”

The Bobcats will dive back into action on Tuesday with a road trip to Fort Dodge for their Iowa Alliance Conference opener at 4 p.m. against the host Dodgers.

Marshalltown 7, Union Community 2

SINGLES

Kate Sandvick (MHS) def. Adalynn Engel, 8-0

Alivia Keegan (U) def. Ellie Downs, 8-3

Lilyia Christen (MHS) def. Madison Martin, 8-5

Jorja Janssen (MHS) def. Kamryn Foulk, 8-4

Bailey Brown (U) def. Taylor Bear, 8-3

Grace Diggins (MHS) def. Addie Pospisil, 8-5

DOUBLES

Sandvick and Downs (MHS) def. Keegan and Martin, 8-3

Christen and Janssen (MHS) def. Brown and Pospisil, 8-3

Bear and Diggins (MHS) def. Foulk and Lauren Frush, 8-4