Jason Strand

The Marshalltown boys’ tennis team got everything it wanted and more from its Good Friday showdown with ninth-ranked Cedar Rapids Jefferson, including a win.

The Class 2A No. 6 Bobcats bounced the J-Hawks 7-2 in Friday morning’s ranked battle, handing Jefferson a loss in its first match of the season — and of the day. The J-Hawks rolled on to Ankeny and collected an 8-1 win to earn a split in their more than 4-hour round trip.

Marshalltown improved to 4-1 for the spring with its first win over a ranked opponent. And according to head coach James Christensen, the Bobcats had to earn it.

“It was a good match,” he said. “They are a true No. 9 team — all seniors and they play super hard. It was a hard win for sure.”

Jason Strand’s victory at No. 1 singles was the only match that appeared to be decidedly lopsided. He turned away Logan Miller in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, to kick off the day with a dominant win.

Jacob Thiessen at No. 4 singles also won in convincing fashion, beating Austin Nagel 6-1, 6-3.

Isaac Benscoter won a first-set tiebreak at No. 5 to topple Jacob Strain 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, and Drew Loney finished off his No. 6 singles win over Adam Panoch with a second-set tiebreaker, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

Gavin Jablonski needed a third-set super tiebreaker victory to take down Landon Augustine at No. 2, 6-4, 5-7, (10-7), while Nile Christensen was knocked off at No. 3 singles by Logan Augustine in a simliarly scored match, 6-3, 4-6, (10-7).

Landon Augustine and Miller teamed up to take down Jablonski and Christensen at No. 1 doubles, 6-2, 6-0, but the rest went to the Bobcats. Strand and Thiessen scored a 6-3, 6-1 triumph over Logan Augustine and Nagel at No. 2 doubles, while Benscoter and Loney locked up a 6-3, 6-1 victory at No. 3 over Panoch and Strain.

Marshalltown returns to the courts on Monday with a home match against Des Moines East.

Marshalltown 7, Cedar Rapids Jefferson 2

Singles

Jason Strand (MHS) def. Logan Miller, 6-0, 6-1

Gavin Jablonski (MHS) def. Landon Augustine, 6-4, 5-7, (10-7)

Logan Augustine (CRJ) def. Nile Christensen, 6-3, 4-6, (10-7)

Jacob Thiessen (MHS) def. Austin Nagel, 6-1, 6-3

Isaac Benscoter (MHS) def. Jacob Strain, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3

Drew Loney (MHS) def. Adam Panoch, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)

Doubles

Miller and La. Augustine (CRJ) def. Jablonski and Christensen, 6-2, 6-0

Strand and Thiessen (MHS) def. Nagel and Lo. Augustine, 6-3, 6-1

Loney and Benscoter (MHS) def. Panoch and Strain, 6-3, 6-1