Central will host DeSmet in sectional

Central's quest for its first state final four appearance in boys tennis will continue today in a home sectional against DeSmet.

The Tigers rolled over Eureka 6-0 in Tuesday's regional, while DeSmet knocked off Chaminade 5-2. Central and DeSmet will play at 4 p.m. today, while Kirkwood will face Webster Groves at 4 p.m. in St. Louis in the other sectional. If the Tigers win, they will host the Kirkwood-Webster Groves winner Saturday.

"I'm hoping we can get by DeSmet," Central coach Bud Craven said. "I know they have a good team. I'm hoping we're reasonably matched. I think they're real strong in the upper parts, and we're real strong in our lower parts."

Central's won its first state playoff match in four tries Tuesday. DeSmet won back-to-back state titles in 1986 and 1987, but the Spartans have not made the final four since 2000. Kirkwood has made seven final four appearances since 1997, while Webster Groves just picked up its first postseason win.

The Tigers are 11-4 in dual play this season and will send the doubles team of David Berry and Patrick Duffy to the state tournament. The twosome finished second at the district tournament.

"We've consistently been improving," Craven said.