JHS SOFTBALL AND TENNIS TEAMS BEGIN SEASON

Senior Sara Culbertson had no trouble in her first match of the year against Chaffee's Amanda Ford. Culbertson should help the Lady Indians in their quest for a district championship.

Senior Lynn Casteel led the Lady Indians last year. She'll need a repeat performance again this year to help the Lady Indians improve on their 7-4 record from last year.

Dana Eakins (2B) and jessica Shulta (CF) collide during Wednesday's loss to Notre Dame of St. Louis. Eakins held on to the ball.

Lady Indians lose opener

St. Louis Notre Dame 6

Jackson 3

JACKSON -- Jackson opened its softball season with a loss Wednesday as seven errors led to a win for visiting Notre Dame from St. Louis.

The Lady Indians had six hits. Melissa Palmer doubled twice and drove in two runs while Jessica Sander added two hits.

Christy Teets was the losing pitcher even though she allowed just one earned run.

"We just made too many errors," said Jackson coach Becky Riney. "I thought Christy pitched pretty well."

Jackson took part in the Cor Jesu tourney this weekend. No scores were available at press time.

The Lady Indians look to rebuild this year after losing six starting seniors off of last year's squad that went 14-8 and just missed the state playoffs when they lost to Fox in the district championship game. Gone are two all-state players, four all-conference and three all-district players.

But with returning seniors Dana Eakins, Caroline Harper, Nicki Hobeck, Staci Seabaugh, Heather Van Gennip and Christy Teets and a couple of key juniors, this team should be able to compete on the level of last year's team as the season progresses.

Teets, Beth Becker (soph.) and Seabaugh will take over the pitching responsibilities left by departed Alisha Liley.

Coach Riney will look for leadership from her seniors and from juniors Jessica Sander, Melissa Palmer and Carrie Myers.

Freshman Amanda Bollinger and sophomore Emily Sander will split time behind the plate for the Lady Indians.

For The Lady Indians to compete on the level they played last year they will have to minimize their mistakes and not have any more seven error games like on Wednesday.

"I know we'll improve on that," Riney said.

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Amanda Bollinger tags out an unidentified Notre Dame player. Jackson lost 6-3 to open their season. Jackson USA Signal/Lou Peukert

Dana Eakins (2B) and Jessica Shultz (CF) collide during Wednesday's loss to Notre Dame of St. Louis. Eakins held on to the ball.

Lady Indians Tennis loves Chaffee to start season

Jackson 9

Chaffee 0

CHAFFEE -- Jackson got its tennis season off on the right foot Wednesday with a 9-0 win over Chaffee.

The Lady Indians won every match handily, with no Chaffee player coming closer than an 8-2 defeat. Jackson's junior varsity also swept Chaffee in six matches.

"For our first match the girls performed well," said Jackson coach Linda Adams. "This team is very dedicated and they want to do their best. I expect them to play their best every time out."

Jackson will host Caruthersville Tuesday.

Jackson returns four seniors from last year's 7-4 team. Seniors Sarah Culbertson, Lynn Casteel, Lauren Young and Beth Lefebvre look to lead the 1997 campaign.

Balancing the attack will be foreign exchange student Lene Steinberg of Germany, Emily O'Loughlin andAmy Lefebvre.

The team has a real chance to compete for a district championship this year. But for that to happen the team will have to beat Cape Central on Sept. 16 and 29, and Charleston on Sept. 3 and 11, a feat they were unable to accomplish last year.

Results of the matches Wednesday:

Sarah Culbertson (J) def. Amanda Ford, 8-1

Lynn Casteel (J) def. Betsy Rice, 8-1

Lene Steinberg (J) def. Jill Graham, 8-0

Lauren Young (J) def. Adrian Meyr, 8-2

Beth Lefebvre (J) def. Kristine Bailey, 8-1

Emily O'Loughlin (J) def. Jenine Sadler, 8-2

Doubles

Casteel-Steinberg (J) def. Ford-Rice, 8-1

Culbertson-Young (J) def. Graham-Meyr, 8-0

Lefebvre-O'Loughlin (J) def. Baily-Sadler, 8-0

JV Winners: (singles) Annie Lefebvre (J), Brooke Stephens (J), Patti Propst (J), Sarah Propst (J); (doubles) Melanie Cobb-Maggie Martin (J), Jessica Seabaugh-Jessica Nelson (J)

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Senior Lynn Casteel led the the Lady Indians last year. She'll need a repeat performance again this year to help the Lady Indians improve on their 7-4 record from last year. Jackson USA Signal/Michael Wells

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Senior Sarah Culbertson had no trouble in her first match of the year against Chaffee's Amanda Ford. Culbertson should help the Lady Indians in their quest for a district championship.

Senior Lauren Young smashes a return in practice. Young is one of four returning seniors that will give Jackson a real chance at a district championship.