Monday starts a full week of sports for Knoxville teams as the spring sports season hits full throttle this week. Girls tennis will travel to Southeast Polk on Monday to play the Rams, who last season went 0-10 in dual matches, but did not get to play Knoxville due to a rain out. The Rams lost five seniors from their roster last season including four of their six singles starters. The Panthers return two-time defending South Central Conference singles champion Janie Maasdam at #1 singles, plus fellow singles players Iselynn Prevo, Bridgette Liston and Marlea Cox. Coach Nick DeMoss tells KNIA/KRLS Sports he does not know what to expect from Southeast Polk since his team did not get to play the Rams, but regardless, the assignment is to compete and get confidence for matches moving forward.

DeMoss: “We’re opening our season with SE Polk, we didn’t get to play them last year due to a rain out, and I don’t know what to expect from them, but regardless I want my girls to play well and compete.”

Both Panthers soccer squads will be in action as the girls will host Pella Christian. The Panthers have struggled to score this season but goalkeeper Addi Williams has been a bright spot stopping 84 shots in the first three matches. The Eagles are 2-0 with wins over Albia and Ottumwa, kickoff is set for 5:30 at Randy Wilson Track in Knoxville. The boys soccer squad is still in search of its first win, but have yet to lose a match either as the Panthers have tied their first two opponents. A 2-2 draw against Southeast Polk in the season opener and Thursday a 1-1 tie against Carlisle. The Panthers were playing shorthanded Thursday and Coach Dylan Mick hopes to have some of his pl;ayers that he did not have on Thursday ready for Monday’s match against Oskaloosa at the Lacey Sports Complex in Oskaloosa at 7:00.