Jackson doubles tennis team hopes tougher schedule pays off at state meet

Montana Adams and Jenny Powell seem to have an underlying theme of two in tennis that is hard to escape.

From two trips to state in Class 2 to a goal of playing Day 2.

It's always two.

Fittingly, the Jackson juniors are at their best when they are a team of two.

Adams and Powell have done well individually in high school tennis, serving as Jackson's top two singles players on a team that won its second consecutive district championship.

Jackson's Jenny Powell, left, and Montana Adams will compete in the Class 2 state tennis tournament as a doubles team. (Fred Lynch)

Powell went 16-4 as the Indians' No. 1 singles player, while Adams compiled a 15-5 mark at No. 2.

But the juniors take their game to a different level when paired in doubles -- a state tournament level.

Adams and Powell will compete in the 16-team field when the Class 2 tennis doubles competition begins today at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, Mo.

They hope to channel the power of two, using their second appearance at the state tournament as a springboard to a longer and more prosperous stay.

The pair made a surprising appearance as sophomores last season but did not advance past the first day. They were swept in two sets in the opening match by a tandem from Lee's Summit West, then won a consolation match against a pair from Parkway North before being eliminated by a squad from Park Hill.

"Our expectations are a whole lot higher," Adams said about the return trip. "We have a lot more confidence."

The expectations and confidence are not just a product of being a year older. It was born out of a commitment to improve.

That has entailed two months of league play in St. Louis last winter, private lessons at Sunset Tennis Center near St. Louis, weekend clinics and a weeklong summer camp at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

"They did put in the extra time," said Jackson coach Linda Adams, who is Montana's mother. "They knew they wanted to excel better than last year, and hopefully they do much better."

"I think our skill level together and individually has gone up a lot," Powell said. "We've had more experience and we're more confident. With going to state last year, it helped us a lot with big matches, but it's also put a lot more pressure on us from last year."

Montana said she's improved her serve, forehand and ability to read where opponents are headed with a shot.

"We've just practiced a whole lot in the winter and spring," Adams said. "And now that it's the season, we feel like we are prepared."

A beefier schedule also has helped bring out the best in the Jackson players. They take an identical 18-5 record as last year to the state tournament, but they don't view it in the same light.

"We played better teams than we did last year," Powell said. "Last year more of our wins were local. We went to St. Louis more this year and played like Parkway Centrals, and a lot of the teams we're going to see at state."

Jackson added district opponents Mehlville and Oakville to its schedule along with Parkway West and Parkway Central this year. The schedule also included strong private schools Cor Jesu and Nerinx Hall.

"We wanted to branch out and go up north," coach Adams said. "That's where you're going to get better."

Last year's state tournament provided big-match experience, something they also experienced in a 64-team tournament earlier this season in Springfield. Adams and Powell responded to that challenge with a top-eight finish.

"We're not as nervous with big games and we just focus on what we have to do," Powell said. "We communicate a lot better. If one of us is struggling with a certain aspect of the game, we help each other out. We realize it's a long game and we're going to have ups and downs and we have to keep going."

Montana said the pair would like a top-eight finish at the state tournament. Such a finish would have the tandem playing on the second day, which Powell said is a big goal for her.

"I feel we've improved a lot, and if we were faced with the same teams as last year, that we would do a lot better against them," Powell said. "But it all depends on the draw. We just have to go in with a lot of confidence."

The 16-team bracket will not be known until shortly before play begins. The team that goes 4-0 will be crowned state champions.

"The key is you got to get a good draw because you've got some good players up there," coach Adams said.