SPRINGFIELD -- The championship pairings haven't been set, but Sikeston singles tennis player Jenni DeWitt feels she's as prepared as ever for the Class 1 Tennis Championships in Springfield.
DeWitt, a junior, will be making her third straight trip to the state tournament after winning her second straight district championship. She also qualified her freshman year after taking second in the district with a 15-3 record.
DeWitt will be carrying a 14-2 record into the state meet. She placed sixth in the state last year after entering the competition with an 18-0 mark.
"You never know what to expect because there's so many good players," said DeWitt. "Hopefully I can just play my game and place as high as I can. I'm hoping to do a little better. I'm more prepared. I worked all summer and got stronger. I've worked on my mental game, so I'm a smarter player."
DeWitt will be playing on Friday against an opponent that has yet to be determined. Once there, the tournament is double-elimination.
"Every time you go up there you see some tough competition, especially with all the private schools," said Sikeston tennis coach Lynne DeWitt, also Jenni's mother. "That's where all the top players are. They have personal coaches and work on their game the whole year. Jenni has played a lot too and has worked hard so we're hoping for the best."
CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Sikeston Bulldogs junior varsity soccer team won its opening match at the Cape Central JV Tournament on Tuesday.
Sikeston (5-7-2) shut out Poplar Bluff 1-0 with Mike Botkin scoring the lone goal off an assist from Brandon Sauceda.
Goalkeeper Jacob Isaacs recorded the shutout.
The Bulldogs meet Cape Central today at 7 p.m. for the right to advance to the championship game.