Area teams launch district tennis play

Girls tennis teams and individuals begin the march to the state tournament as district play opens today.

The top two singles and doubles finishers in each district advance to the state tournament Oct. 19-20 in Springfield, Mo. The top two teams in each district advance to four-team sectionals Oct. 13, with the sectional winner advancing to the state team tournament Oct. 18 in Springfield. The winner of Class 4A, District 1 will host the sectional.

Class 4A, District 1

(at SEMO)Jackson finished the regular season with a 12-2 record, dropping its final two matches to Dexter and Farmington. The good news is the Lady Indians won't have to contend with Dexter, which is in Class 1A-3A. The bad news is Farmington, which didn't lose a dual match all season, will loom large as a major hurdle.

Jackson's No. 1 and No. 2 singles players, Nicole Poythress and Katie Domian, have been exceptional all year and the doubles team of Carly Vogelsang and Kelly Mitchell enter districts as the third-seed. Poythress garnered the top seed among singles participants.

Jackson lost to eventual state champion St. Joseph's Academy in the sectional qualifying round in 2000.

Cape Central (4-8) will send Lauren Sulser and Allison Campbell into singles play. Megan Ladd and Sara Burns will be the Lady Tigers' No. 1 doubles team while Ali McGinty and Erika Foley will be the No. 2 entry.

Poplar Bluff, Eureka, Lindbergh, Mehlville, Oakville and Rockwood Summit complete the field.

Class 1A-3A, District 2

(at Sikeston)Chaffee, Charleston and Fredericktown are among 12 teams vying for berths at the state meet.

Charleston and Dexter reached the sectionals last season before losing.

Rounding out the District 2 lineup are host Sikeston, Arcadia Valley, Caruthersville, Park Hills Central, Kennett, Malden, North County and Potosi.