DeWitt claims title

SHS tennis player Jenni DeWitt watches the ball in a singles match during the 2007 Sikeston Invitational Saturday (Photos by David Jenkins, Staff)

Lady Bulldogs have singles champion

SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Invitational was held Saturday morning at the Sikeston High School tennis courts, displaying talent from four prep teams in the surrounding area, including Sikeston, Charleston, Fredricktown and Kennett.

With rain threatening the tournament, Sikeston head coach Lynn DeWitt shortened the matches to just one set instead of three.

Jenni DeWitt took home the singles championship for the Lady Bulldogs, as she breezed through the morning, winning both of her matches without dropping a game. Her first victory came against Charleston's Chelsea Stallings, 8-0, and the second came against Kennett's Hannah Lack, 8-0.

"Jenni played well today," Lynn DeWitt said. "She won her sets and got her matches in and performed well."

Lack, who took second to DeWitt, had to defeat Charleston's Kayla McKenzie, 8-2, to get to the final.

McKenzie took third place, defeating her teammate from Charleston, Stallings, by a score of 8-3.

In doubles action, Lindsay Burke and Jade Schwieger of Charleston took home the first place title, defeating Courtney Kemp and Rachel Page of Fredericktown, 8-5.

"Our girls played well in the tournament," Charleston head coach Seth Benton said. "They had to because there was some good competition."

The following is a list of results other involving area players:

Singles Quarterfinals -- Chelsea Stallings (Charleston) def. Christy Doughten (Kennett) 8-6, Kayla McKenzie (Charleston) def. Campbell Moore (Sikeston) 8-3.

Singles Semifinals -- Jenni DeWitt (Sikeston) def. Chelsea Stallings (Charleston) 8-0, Hanna Lack (Kennett) def. Kayla McKenzie (Charleston) 8-1.

Singles Third Place -- Kayla McKenzie (Charleston) def. Chelsea Stallings (Charleston) 8-3.

Doubles Quarterfinals -- Allison DeField/Mary Kate Renaud (Charleston) def. Megan Underhill/Moore (Sikeston) 8-2, Lindsay Burke/Jade Schwieger (Charleston) def. Caroline Murray/Jacarra Lampkin (Sikeston) 8-0.

Doubles Semifinals -- Kemp/Page (Fredericktown) def. DeField/Renaud (Charleston) 8-1, Burke/Schwieger (Charleston) def. Burcham/Shetley (Kennett) 8-2.

Doubles Third Place -- Burcham/Shetley (Kennett) def. DeField/Renaud (Charleston) 8-4.

Sikeston will travel to Poplar Bluff for a dual meet at 4 p.m today. Charleston hosts Sikeston at 4 p.m. Tuesday.