Helias tennis wins tourney

SEDALIA, Mo. - The Lady Crusaders topped six teams in the Smith Cotton Invitational with 24 combined points. Hickman finished second with 23.5.

Ashley Dowden finished first overall in singles. After her first-round bye, she defeated the No. 1 Hickman player, 8-1. She then finished off Battle's No. 2 player (6-3, 6-2) and took down Battle's No. 1 in the final (6-1, 6-0).

Abby Dowden finished fifth overall. She defeated Smith Cotton's No. 1 player (8-1), fell to Battle's No. 1 (8-1), beat Clinton's Nos. 2 (6-1) and 1 (6-0) and Hickman's No. 1 (6-3).

In doubles play, Mary Conley and Lauren Highfill finished No. 2 overall. After a first-round bye, they topped Smith Cotton's No. 1 team (8-0) and Hickman's No. 2 (7-5, 6-4) before falling to Hickman's No. 1 (6-1, 6-3).

Megan Villanueva and Cassidy Roling finished fourth overall in doubles. After topping Lee Summit North's No. 2 team (8-3) and Battle's No. 1 team (8-2), they fell to Hickman's Nos. 1 (6-1, 6-3) and 2 (6-4, 6-1) teams.

Helias plays at Jefferson City on Monday.

Jefferson City's junior varsity team also competed and finished fourth with 11 points.

Esther Ruboneka finished 2-2 in the singles bracket. Ali Lewis finished 1-2 in the singles bracket.

Maddi Brown and Haley Watson finished sixth in doubles, posting a record of 3-2. Erica Overfelt and Bailey Patrick finished 2-2 at the event, posting wins over two doubles teams from Clinton.

The Lady Jays varsity squad returns to action tomorrow in the Columbia Tournament.