Charleston gets revenge on Sikeston tennis team

CHARLESTON -- Charleston's tennis team pulled out a 6-3 victory over Sikeston on Monday, redeeming a loss earlier in the season while improving to 7-2 overall.

"It was an exciting match," said Charleston coach Mitch Baker. "A lot of the matches could've gone either way. I was extremely happy to get away with the win. Sikeston has a strong team, but the girls wanted this one bad."

Charleston opened the match with the doubles events, winning all three to put Sikeston in an early hole.

"Our doubles teams are what killed us today," said Sikeston coach Suzanne Hart. "We just couldn't get a rhythm going. (Charleston) was gunning for us today, that's for sure."

In the top spot, Charleston's Britt Story and Cortney McClendon defeated Elizabeth Killion and Lindsay Leible, 8-4. "That was the best they've played all year," said Baker. "If they continue to play like that, good things are going to happen. As a team, we're starting to play a lot smarter in doubles."

Charleston's Mindi Leuhmann made her return to the lineup, and along with teammate Emily McDowell, was able to defeat Erin Shelton and Heather Hester, 8-6.

In the third match, Charleston's Emily Rolwing and Summer Groves beat Valerie Haman and Kellee Manley, 8-5.

In singles, McDowell lost to Killion 8-5, Story defeated Leible 8-3, McClendon beat Hester 8-2, then Leuhmann lost to Haman 8-6.

"Even though she was probably only playing at about 30 percent, I was really pleased to get Mindy Leuhmann back," said Baker. "She lost her singles match, but did really well considering she was basically playing on one leg."

At the No. 5 spot, Rolwing lost to Shelton 8-4, then Groves edged Sikeston's Rachel Colwick at No. 6.

"I think we're moving in the right direction, but we're still making way too many unforced errors, and districts are just over a week away" said Baker. "We're getting better, but time is short."

Charleston (7-2) will travel to Malden today while Sikeston (7-4) travels to Farmington.

"We started in a hole today, but the kids did an exceptional job of coming back," said Hart. "Farmington will probably be the toughest team we play all season. They've got an excellent team this year."

Charleston won the junior varsity match 10-6. For Charleston, singles winners were Claire Showmaker, Megan Leuhmann, Lauren Smith, Maklaya Brown, Kamyia Sager, Kara Hillhouse and Ashley Shans.

Sikeston singles winners were Madeline Bucher, Leslie Powell, Chelsea Gilliland, and Jeri Nichols.

Charleston doubles winners were Showmaker and Julie Smith, Libby Renaud and Lauren Smith, then Narita Graham and Christina Brown.

Sikeston doubles winners were Powell and Charlie Ritchie, then Thu Nguyen and Erica Carr.