Jackson tennis loses close conference match

The Jackson Indians tennis team fell in a close 5-4 contest to the Poplar Bluff Mules on Thursday at the Jackson City Park. Jackson split the singles play matches 3-3 but the Mules took a 2-1 advantage in doubles play to take home the victory.

The Indians were in a tricky situation in doubles play as some members of the team were sick which forced new partnerships to be made pregame. Jackson head coach Linda Adams said the team did well despite the circumstances and they fought through it.

“Having to change doubles partners to someone they hadn't played with before, I saw the fight,” Adams said. “I told each and every one of them not to give up because I've talked to them about you're not playing the person, you're playing the ball. It doesn't matter about the score, doesn't matter about who's on that side of the net, you're playing the ball.”

Indian players Ella Montgomery, Melanie Nugent and Tessa Quade all won their singles matches while Caroline Selzer, Ava Nipper and Gracyn Cox all lost in close matches. Although the match did end in a loss, the Indian's record still sits at 5-4-1 with over half the season to go, giving the team time to improve.

“A lot of them are eager to take lessons, they're wanting to so that's what they're doing right now,” Adams said. “Taking lessons and playing in tournaments, that's how we're gonna get better. So they're not just showing up, but they're all working hard and wanting to get better.”

Jackson will travel to Cape Central on Friday to take part in the Cape Central Doubles Tournament where they will look to of course win but more importantly, just keep getting better.

“We're just using the season to help us get better for districts, so whatever it takes for us to get there, that's what we're looking for there,” Adams said. “I'm not really looking at the wins and losses, I'm looking at the overall person getting better.”