Helias, Jefferson City tennis teams get positive results

Athletes advance in individual district tournament

Jefferson City finished first and second in both singles and doubles in the Class 2, District 9 individual district tournament Saturday.

The Helias Lady Crusaders advanced four players in their individual district tournament, as well.

Ashley Dowden and Mary Conley both advanced in singles, and Abby Dowden and Lauren Highfill advanced in doubles.

In doubles, Paige Smith and Eden Hoogveld won their third consecutive district doubles title, while Kelly Raithel and Kirsten Schmidt finished as runners up for the Jays.

Following a first round bye, top-seeded Smith and Hoogveld defeated Camdenton's No. 2 team 6-0, 6-0 in quarterfinals. After a bye, second-seeded Raithel and Schmidt defeated Rolla's No. 1 doubles team 6-1, 6-1 in quarterfinals. In semifinals, Smith and Hoogveld defeated Lebanon's No. 1 doubles team 6-0, 6-0, and Raithel and Schmidt defeated the Waynesville's No. 1 team 6-1, 6-0. In the all-Jefferson City doubles championship match, Smith and Hoogveld defeated Raithel and Schmidt 6-1, 6-2.

In singles, Athira Nambiar won the district championship, while Erica Dunn finished as runner up. In the opening round, Nambiar defeated Waynesville's No. 2 player 6-0, 6-1 and Dunn defeated Sedalia Smith-Cotton's No. 2 player 6-2, 6-2. In quarterfinals, Nambiar defeated Rolla's No. 2 6-2, 6-1, while Dunn defeated Rolla's No. 1, the No. 2 seed, 6-4, 6-2. In semifinals, Nambiar defeated top-seeded Finessa Rassel from Camdenton 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 while Dunn defeated Camdenton's Maisy Borden 6-3, 6-2. In the all-Lady Jay singles championship match, Nambiar defeated Dunn 6-1, 6-0.

With their victories and results from Saturday, Smith, Hoogveld, Raithel, Schmidt, Nambiar and Dunn advance to individual sectionals next week in Springfield.

Ashley Dowden beat Conley 6-3, 6-2 in the championship round of singles play to lead Helias. Ashley Dowden was perfect on the afternoon, receiving a first-round bye and earning 6-0, 6-0 wins twice before facing Conley.

Conley also had a first-round bye and won her second match 6-1, 6-1. She won her semifinal match 6-0, 6-0.

In doubles, Abby Dowden and Highfill defeated Kirksville's No. 1 doubles team 6-3, 7-6, 8-6.

Megan Villanueva and Cassidy Roling finished third in doubles after beating Kirksville's No. 2 team 10-5.

The next individual round will be played Tuesday at Kirksville. Team sectionals begin Saturday at Incarnate Word.

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