Netters end regular season with win

SIKESTON -- Sikeston's tennis team ended the regular season in impressive fashion on Monday, beating Cape Central 7-2.

"The girls had a great season," said Sikeston tennis coach Lynne DeWitt. "They came back today and beat Cape. We played exceptional. All the senior girls stepped up and took charge."

In varsity singles, Elizabeth Killion outlasted Cape's Liz LaFoe to win 8-6. In the second spot, Lindsay Leible beat Cape's Erika Foley 8-1 to finish the season undefeated.

In the third spot, Charlie Richey lost 5-8 to Cape's Brett Ford. At No. 4, Jeri Nichols defeated Cape's Dani Gross 8-6. In the fifth spot, Chelsea Gilliland beat Cape's Michaelyn Burns 8-2. Jessica Colwick lost 4-8 to Cape's Merritt Gerlach in the sixth spot.

In varsity doubles, Killion and Leible beat Foley and Gross 8-1. Richey and Nichols won 8-2 over LaFoe and Ford, then Gilliland and Emily Bowman nipped Burns and Gerlach 9-7.

Sikeston's tennis team will be back in action on Thursday, hosting the district tournament. Seeds for the district will be drawn today.

In Monday's junior varsity match, Sikeston lost to Cape Central 2-6. Both wins for the Lady Bulldogs came in doubles play with teams of Lindsey James-Hallie Lambert and Ellie Hensley-Brittney Bard.

CARUTHERSVILLE -- Charleston's tennis team ended the regular season on a high note Monday afternoon, sweeping Caruthersville 9-0.

The Lady Bluejays finish with a record of 10-2, heading into Thursday's district tournament at Sikeston.

"It has been a good season," said Charleston coach Mitch Baker. "These girls have been overachievers all year long. I couldn't be more pleased with the way the season has turned out so far."

In varsity singles, Laura Burton blanked Caruthersville's Amanda Bradley 8-0. In the second spot, Claire Showmaker beat Caruthersville's Leola Jones 8-1. At No. 3, KaMyia Sager rolled past Caruthersville's Ann Sumner 8-1.

In the fourth spot, Kara True defeated Caruthersville's Leslie Gail 8-1. At No. 5, Lauren Smith beat Caruthersville's Miranda Bradley 8-1, then Mandy Shankle defeated Caruthersville's Paige Taylor 8-2 in the sixth spot.

"I was glad to see the girls bounce back after the Sikeston match," said Baker. "I thought they played real well."

In varsity doubles, Megan Luehmann and Showmaker won 8-0 over Bradley and Jones. Sager and True beat Sumner and Landsall 8-2, then Kati Luehmann and Ashley Shands won 8-1 over Kim Clayton and Gail.

Charleston (10-2) will find out seeds for the district tournament today.

"Our goal is to play the best we can every single match in districts," said Baker. "You never know what's going to happen. A lot of districts is luck of the draw. If the girls play well and we get some lucky breaks here and there, we've got a legitimate shot of doing well at districts."

In Monday's junior varsity match, Charleston winners were doubles teams of Jessie Duenne-Rebecca Rowling, Ali Fox-Elizabeth Moxley, and Jennifer Rolwing-Virginia Burk.