High school girls tennis: Kennett dodges rain, volleys by Saxony

The two most important words in Wednesday’s girls tennis match between Kennett and Saxony Lutheran High School were “dodging” and “volleying.”

Both the Indians and Crusaders dodged raindrops.

And Kennett successfully volleyed its way through three doubles matches en route to a 5-0 victory over Saxony Lutheran — raising its record winning streak to 55.

Kennett High School girls tennis player Emory Kamper, playing No. 3 doubles, returns a shot during a Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, match versus Saxony Lutheran at The Wheatley Courts. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

The Crusaders still feature an impressive 12-4 mark.

Completing the match was in doubt after some unexpected rain doused The Wheatley Courts.

“The maintenance staff dried off the courts fast,” Kennett head coach Janet Hilburn noted.

Even Kennett school district assistant superintendent Dr. Richie Leeker and high school principal Chad Pritchett pitched in with drying implements — ensuring the match would go on as scheduled.

The encounter between Kennett and Saxony Lutheran was much anticipated because the two schools could face each other as district opponents in the coming days.

“The girls jumped up and got going,” Hilburn noted. “It was an important match. We wanted to see what they had and see how we would match up against them.”

The match was delayed roughly one hour.

Kennett’s No. 2 doubles team of senior Christi Tejeda and freshman Olivia Rebstock were in a three-game hole before the duo pulled out the match 8-6 over Saxony Lutheran’s Evie Caruso and Addie Thompson.

“Their backs were to the wall,” Hilburn said. “The girls then won consecutive games. It was a huge win for us, and it took a little pressure off (in the singles matches).”

Kennett sophomores Jady Quinn and Emory Kamper dispatched Tali Renshaw and Ekaterina Rust, 8-3, in the No. 3 doubles match.

Claire Bean (Holcomb) and Handley McAtee earned an 8-3 victory over Maggie Hillin and Abby Haley, also by an 8-3 count, at No. 1 doubles.

Kennett finished off Saxony Lutheran in the singles matches.

Bean blanked Hillin, 8-0, and McAtee also handed out a bagel to Haley at No. 1 and No. 2 singles.

Even Tejeda was up several games at No. 3 when the match was called as another batch of rain began falling.

The Indians competed at the Southeast Missouri Conference tournament in Cape Girardeau on Friday. Look for a recap in the Tuesday, Sept. 26, print and online editions of the Delta Dunklin Democrat.