-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Webster City girls Tennis returning Letterwinners are, left to right, Cyra Christensen, Morgan Hackbarth, Allie Severe, Peral Torres, Alivia Burns, Gabbie Sebert, Maja Gordon, Sylvia Otteros, Karina Murray

The Webster City girls tennis team not only returns the bulk of the varsity lineup from a year ago, they will have plenty of depth and challenge matches among a large group of players out this spring.

Allie Severe, who handled the No. 1 spot in the lineup as a sophomore, is back along with varsity regulars Alivia Burns, Perla Torres, Cyra Christensen, Morgan Hackbarth and Gabbie Sebert.

Maja Gordon, Sylvia Otteros and Karina Murray all saw the lineup a year ago and bring added experience for head coach Mark Fisher, who has a group 32-strong on the roster.

“We were very young and inexperienced last year,” Fisher said. “We actually return most of our varsity lineup with the exception of Kinzey Koestner who graduated.

“With 6-to-7 girls that played significant varsity matches last year, I think our experience and depth will be our strengths this season. If anyone is missing, we have someone we can plug in along with providing plenty of competition for those spots throughout the year.”

Severe, who was No. 3 as a freshman before taking over the top singles spot last year, has been taking lessons since before she reached high school.

“She took some lumps last year at No. 1 as a younger player,” Fisher said. “But she has a wealth of experience and knowledge that she can use and help pass on to her teammates.”

Burns was able to play anywhere in the lineup that the Lynx needed a year ago after coming out for the first time. Now a junior, she is “such a joy and it is infectious with the other girls.”

“I am excited to see what kind of step forward she takes this year,” Fisher said. “Perla is a senior that stepped into a varsity role for the first time last year but has been a leader since she was a freshman.”

Christensen, another senior, has also been out since her freshman year while Hackbarth got her feet wet as a sophomore a season ago, as did Sebert as a ninth-grader.

Webster City also gained some new players this year including all-North Central Conference volleyball and basketball player Olivia Gallentine, Olivia Bergman and freshman Paisyn Bare.

“Abby Blake, Alivia Hector and Miley Mason also put in a lot of time this offseason,” Fisher said. “We’re excited for this year. We have an outstanding group of kids and with close to 70 in the youth and middle school programs, we have an enthusiasm for tennis here in Webster City.”

The Lynx play their first three meets on the road before hosting Clear Lake on April 8. The NCC Tournament will be held in Webster City on May 7.

2025 WEBSTER CITY GIRLS TENNIS

Roster

Seniors — Abigail Blake, Olivia Gallentine, Karina Murray, Emalie Perez, Perla Torres.

Juniors — Hailey Brim, Alivia Burns, Emily Carrasco, Cyra Christensen, Camdyn Coons, Maja Gordon, Morgan Hackbarth, Alivia Hector, Salena Inthisane, Alondra Johnson Santana, Sylvia Otteros, Rinoa Raygor, Allie Severe, Breanna Somvong, Evangeline Streigle.

Sophomores — Haylee Ades, Olivia Bergman, Tegan Gillis, Delaney Lyons, Miley Mason, Alaina Powgnas, Gabbie Sebert, Natalie Segar, Ashlee Tinoco, Greenlee Williams.

Freshmen — Paisyn Bare, Liberty Gamble.

Schedule

April 1 — at St. Edmond; 3 — at South Hardin; 7 — at North Polk; 8 — Clear Lake; 15 — at Iowa Falls-Alden; 18 — at Pella; 21 — Boone; 22 — Hampton-Dumont/CAL; 24 — at Saydel; 29 — Nevada.

May 1 — at Ballard; 7 — host NCC Tournament.