Nothing will come easy for either boys or girls tennis squads for Knoxville this season. The boys will play teams that were either conference champions or state qualifiers in three of their first four matches with North Polk, Indianola, and Clarke with a meet against Centerville in between. Second year Coach Kevin Wadle tells KNIA/KRLS Sports the season opener at power North Polk will be a learning experience and a chance to compete.

Wadle: “We will start the season at North Polk, and North Polk has 2 brothers that finished 3rd and 4th at the state meet, and the first meet will be let’s just get some experience and compete and after that we can get to work.”

Other home meets for the boys will be Clarke, Indianola, Chariton, Davis County, and Grinnell in duals. The Panthers will host their Invitational on April 13th and host the South Central Conference meet on April 29th. Meanwhile the girls host Southeast Polk to open the season at the Joel Tonda Tennis Courts in Knoxville. Among the home meets will be Clarke, Pella Christian, and Albia in duals. The Panthers will also host their invitational on April 19th, and the South Central Conference meet on April 30th. Stay tuned for complete interviews with Wadle and Girls Coach Nick DeMoss on a future Hy-Vee Radio Coaches Corner that airs each Saturday at 9:00 on KNIA/KRLS.