SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Helias girls tennis team was victorious in the first two rounds of the Southwest Missouri Invitational on Friday.
In the first round, the Lady Crusaders faced West Plains, winning 7-0.
In doubles play: Ashley Dowden and Abby Dowden won 8-0, Megan Oliver and Liz Conley won 8-3, and Grace Verslues and Emmi Theroff won 8-0.
In singles, Ashley Dowden (6-0, 6-0), Oliver (6-0, 6-0), Verslues (6-1, 6-1) and Theroff (6-2, 6-2) each won in two sets. Abby Dowden led 6-0, 3-1, and Liz Conley led 6-0, 3-0 in singles, but the match was secured before they could finish.
In the second round, Helias defeated Springfield Central 5-2.
In doubles, Ashley Dowden and Abby Dowden won 8-1, Conley and Oliver won 8-4 and Verslues and Theroff fell 8-6.
In singles, Ashley Dowden (6-0, 6-0), Abby Dowden (6-2, 6-0) and Oliver (6-0, 6-0) were winners. Conley fell 6-2, 6-0.
Verslues (6-0, 0-1) and Theroff (0-4) did not finish their singles matches.
Helias (2-0) takes on Jefferson City today for the tournament championship.