Grace Diggins

The inaugural season of fall girls tennis in Iowa ended in the first round of the postseason for Marshalltown as the Bobcats were ousted by Iowa City Liberty on Saturday at the Marshalltown Court Complex.

Marshalltown (8-8) managed to take just one set in the five singles matches that reached completion, falling 5-0 on the final scoreboard. In the best-of-nine format, the Class 2A Region 2 first-round dual never reached doubles play.

Iowa City Liberty (5-9) advances to visit Ankeny Centennial (6-7) on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the regional semifinals.

Marshalltown got its official set win from Grace Diggins at No. 6. In a back-and-forth battle that came down to extra points, Liberty’s Paige Lambi outlasted Diggins 6-2, 3-6, (11-9).

The Bobcats also claimed a set at No. 5, where Kaelyn Coleman won the opener of an eventual three-set defeat that was completed after the Lightning had already sealed the match. Reese Christoph topped Coleman in comeback fashion, 3-6, 6-2, (10-3).

MHS was swept in straight sets in the first four singles spots. Kate Sandvick battled to a 6-4, 6-3 loss to state singles qualifier Vivian Kahler at No. 1, closing her junior campaign with a 12-4 record.

Marshalltown’s Ellie Downs was defeated 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 by Addison Bollier, who also qualified for state singles. Jorja Janssen lost a tough test at No. 3 to Abigale Boldt, 7-5, 6-3, and Lilyia Christen came out on the short side of a 6-1, 6-2 contest with Larkin McMorris at No. 4.