Schwarting survives first-round epic battle

WATERLOO — Surviving a two-hour, 10-minute battle against Boone’s Morgan Kathman, Osage’s Victoria Schwarting was awarded with the top-seeded player in the Class 1A singles tournament.

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Schwarting defeated Kathman in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to move on against Waterloo Columbus’ Sasha Hyacinth.

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The Green Devil No. 1 singles player said she’d never played in a singles match before.

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“Probably not,” Schwarting said. “I probably came close in my regionals doubles match two years ago. But, no, I don’t think so. Towards the end, I was getting kind of iffy.”

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Nevertheless, she said she felt she had the stamina to keep up and prevail in the opener.

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“I think I do,” Schwarting said. “Mentally, I think I can push myself and physically, even if I don’t feel like it, I know my mental edge and have the will to win.

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“I didn’t know a lot (about Kathman), I knew she was a sophomore and I didn’t know how well she played. I knew I had the champion over her in the bracket placing.”

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Trailing 2-0 in the third set, Schwarting showed perseverance and patience to come back and had a chance to win it on Kathman’s serve, but the Toreador held, forcing Schwarting to serve it out.

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“I’m usually pretty bad at being patient, but yeah, I had it today,” Schwarting said.

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She looked frustrated in the second set, but she found a way to regroup.

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“Just knowing the game wasn’t over and I had that stamina and ability to come back and win,” Schwarting said. “I do have good determination and I’m really competitive.

“I think the hour break will be good,” Schwarting said. “It will be enough time to get back. I’m excited to play my next match.”

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After only an hour break, Schwarting lost to Hyacinth, 6-1, 6-0 to send her to the consolation bracket against Creston’s Maddie Frey where she was eliminated from the tournament, 6-0, 6-2.