Gaskell returns, Fairfield dominates

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield girls tennis team was already having a dominant season. On Monday, they were stronger than ever.

The fourth-ranked Trojans were undefeated heading into the start of regional play, and they got a boost when defending state champion Yana Gaskell made her return to the court after a lengthy absence.

Gaskell and the Trojans swept both Mt. Pleasant and Oskaloosa. Both meets ended before any doubles teams had to step on the courts.

The Trojans hosted Mt. Pleasant in the first round. Gaskell began her comeback tour with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Savana Walls in the No. 1 match. That was her first high school match since the 2019 state championship.

“It’s been surprisingly smoother than expected,” Gaskell said about her battle back to action. “With tennis there are so many variables. Four months out, I couldn’t even hit a ball on the court.”

Gaskell said she just started swinging the racket again earlier this month, and that the nerves were there when she finally stepped on the court for a real match.

“Not only have I not played tennis in a month, but I was slightly injured in the summer, too,” she said. “I haven’t played a match since last summer.”

Fairfield won three other singles matches before the day was clinched. Tess Paton beat Maggie Fitzpatrick 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 2 match. No. 3 Nellie Higdon downed Melanie Olivas 6-0, 6-0 and No. 5 Lauren Kraemer beat Morelia Elias-Sixtos 6-0, 6-1.

Meanwhile, over at Punj Tennis Center, Oskaloosa and Maharishi were in a lengthy battle. That regional opener was tied 3-3 after singles play, but Oskaloosa took the next two doubles matches to move on with a 5-3 victory.

Oskaloosa packed up and headed to Fairfield Middle School where they were quickly vanquished by the Trojans in the second round.

In the second round, Gaskell continued to impress with a 6-0, 6-1 singles victory over Oskaloosa’s Jillian Jennings. Paton picked up her second sweep of the day, beating Makenna Schaffner 6-0, 6-0.

The next three Fairfield points came in the bottom three singles games. Abby Schaefer took the No. 4 game 6-2, 6-3. Lauren Kraemer pulled out a 6-1, 0-6, 10-2 win in the No. 5 game, and Olivia Jones swept through the No. 6 game, winning 6-4, 6-1.

Fairfield will host No. 7 Davenport Assumption in the finals of the top half of the Class 3A regional on Saturday. Before that, they will host the regional doubles and singles tournament on Wednesday. Mt. Pleasant and Maharishi will both be at that meet.