With family atmosphere, Central takes aim at district crown

While many sports teams try to create a family environment, Central's tennis team has one built in.

Central varsity singles players Brett and Sarah Ford are sisters. Brett, a senior, plays at No. 3 singles, while freshman Sarah plays No. 5. Brett and Sarah's cousin, Kristen Ford, plays on the junior varsity squad.

Brett Ford said chemistry has been a key to their turnaround this season.

"We're all really good friends, so it makes it fun," she said.

The Ford sisters represent one-third of the Tigers' varsity singles lineup, and both will be counted on to help the Tigers fight for a district title today at Dwight Davis Tennis Center in St. Louis. Central completed the regular season with a 14-0 record in dual meets and suffered setbacks this year only against two of the state's best teams -- Rockhurst and John Burroughs -- in the Great 8 Tournament.

The Tigers will send two doubles teams and two singles players to the district, from which the top two entries in each format move on to state. The No. 1 doubles team of Dani Gross and Brett Ford drew the second seed in the tournament, and Central's No. 2 doubles team of Monica Toole and Liz LaFoe is seeded fourth.

"We wanted to be No. 1, but we got No. 2," Gross said. "It gives us something to prove, and there's less pressure if you're No. 2."

The singles players representing Central are freshman Lindsey Pingel, who played at No. 6 singles all year, and Sarah Ford.

"Our freshmen really don't have anything to lose," Annette Slattery said.

But the Tigers will be competing for points to send the team on to the sectional round. The top two squads advance.

"I think Cape Central is definitely the favorite as a team," said Oakville coach Linda Gebauer, whose school is the district host. "There should be a shootout for that No. 2 spot."

District challengers include Rockwood Summit, Lindbergh and Oakville. Jackson also is in the nine-team Class 2 District 1 field. Chaffee is in the Class 1 District 2 tourney set to begin 9 a.m. today in Sikeston.

The Tigers have used a mix of youth and veterans this season with two seniors, two juniors and two freshmen. Brett Ford and LaFoe are seniors. Gross, the team's No. 1 singles player, and Toole, who played No. 2, are juniors.

"Our freshman that came in are really good," Gross said. "This year we really don't have a bad player on the team. It's stacked all the way down."

Last year, the Tigers advanced to the Class 2 state playoffs by finishing second in their district behind Poplar Bluff. Central lost to eventual state runner-up St. Joseph's Academy in the sectional.

Central did not advance any individuals to the state tournament, though.

"We're looking forward to that," Gross said. "We really want to make it to state."