AREA TENNIS PLAYERS SEE STATE TITLE DREAMS END

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Cape Girardeau Central High's doubles tennis team of Lisa Ahstrom and Summer Chaudhari won its first-round match on Friday in the Missouri Class 4A state tournament.

The team then lost its quarterfinal match in a tie-breaker, but rebounded in its first consolation match. With two wins today, the team would place fifth.

All other participants from southeast Missouri lost in the opening round.

Ahstrom and Chaudhari (12-7) beat Haley Barnes and Sarah Grogan of Lee's Summit 7-5, 6-3 in the first round.

The pair of seniors were then nipped by Jennifer Margherio and Lindsey Schwendinger of Lafayette 7-6 (8), 0-6, 7-6 (7).

In a consolation match, Ahstrom and Chaudhari beat Rikki Matthews and Janeen Miller of Springfield Glendale 6-3, 6-4.

Central's team of Lara Golike and Rachelle Thomas (15-3) also lost a close one, against Staci Perry and Amy Williams of Truman, 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (5).

In 4A singles, Jackson's Lena Steinberg lost to Parkway North's Julie Thomas 6-3, 6-3. In her consolation match, Steinberg lost to Stephanie Werthmuller of Park Hill 6-1, 6-3.

Charleston was represented by one doubles team in the 1A-3A tournament. Sayler Ault and Jenny O'Rourke (16-5) lost to Beth Curry and Kristyn Echterling of Bishop LeBlond 7-6 (5), 6-2.

In 1A-3A singles, Fredericktown sophomore Erin Kinder entered with an 18-0 record, but lost to freshman Jackie Mendillo of John Burroughs 6-0, 6-4.

Also, Charleston's Whitney Delay lost to Notre Dame de Sion's Megan Bradley 6-0, 6-0.