Girls Tennis: Lady Jays take Kickapoo Invitational

SPRINGFIELD - The Jefferson City Lady Jays went 3-1 in tennis action Thursday and Friday in Kickapoo, falling in a dual with the Chiefs but bouncing back to win the Kickapoo Invitational.

The Lady Jays began action Thursday by dropping a 7-2 dual to Kickapoo. Singles winners for Jefferson City High School were Athira Nambiar (8-6) and Esther Ruboneka (8-6). Falling for the Lady Jays were Erica Dunn (8-4), Susan Meyer (8-6), Bailey Patrick (8-2), and Haley Watson (9-7). The Lady Jays dropped all three doubles matches: Nambiar and Meyer fell 8-2, Ruboneka and Dunn lost 8-6, and Watson and Patrick were defeated 8-1.

The Lady Jays rebounded with three wins to take the Kickapoo Invitational title.

Jefferson City opened up the tournament with a 9-0 win against Liberty North in the quarterfinals. Singles winners for Lady Jays were Nambiar (6-1), Dunn (6-1), Ruboneka (6-0), Meyer (6-4), Patrick (6-0) and Watson (6-0). Doubles winners were Nambiar and Dunn (8-0), Ruboneka and Watson (8-1), and Meyer and Patrick (8-1).

In semifinal play, the Lady Jays defeated Bolivar 5-1. Singles winners included Nambiar (6-4), Ruboneka (6-2) and Meyer (6-4). Doubles winners were Nambiar and Dunn (8-2) and Meyer and Patrick (9-7). Falling in doubles were Ruboneka and Watson (8-3).

The Lady Jays then defeated Kickapoo 5-4 in the championship match. Singles winners were Nambiar (9-8), Dunn (9-7), Ruboneka (8-2), and Meyer (8-4). Meyer's win clinched the championship and was the final match to end. Falling in singles were Patrick (8-2) and Watson (8-6). Winning in doubles for the Lady Jays were Nambiar and Dunn (8-3), and falling in doubles were Ruboneka and Watson (9-8) and Meyer and Patrick (8-3).

The Lady Jays (6-2) return to action Monday at Waynesville.