Host Central tries to advance in today's sectional tourney

While the Central girls tennis team already has two doubles teams qualified for the state tournament, the team has a chance to show its depth today when it hosts Parkway South in a Class 2 sectional dual meet.

This is the second straight sectional appearance for the Tigers. Last year Central fell to Lafayette 5-4.

The dual at Central will begin at 10 a.m., the same time defending Class 2 state champion St. Joseph's Academy plays Rockwood Summit at Southeast Missouri State's tennis courts. The quarterfinal dual is set for 1 p.m. at Central.

The Tigers' doubles teams of Dani Gross-Monica Toole and Lindsey Pingel-Sarah Ford have qualified for the individual state tournament.

Central (14-1) qualified for the sectional this year by defeating Cor Jesu 5-2 in the team district, which was introduced this year. Parkway South (13-0) knocked off Lafayette 5-4 in team district.

"I would like to play St. Joe's, but we have to take it one match at a time," Central coach Annette Slattery said.

St. Joseph's has made the state final four every year since 1993, winning 10 state titles. St. Joseph's has qualified its two singles entries and two doubles teams to state this year.