Lady Jays ready for Rock Bridge in Final Four

Jefferson City's Kelly Raithel returns a shot during a match earlier this year. The Lady Jays will take on Rock Bridge in the Class 2 semifinals at 9 a.m. today in Springfield. It's the first appearance for Jefferson City since 1994.
Jefferson City's Kelly Raithel returns a shot during a match earlier this year. The Lady Jays will take on Rock Bridge in the Class 2 semifinals at 9 a.m. today in Springfield. It's the first appearance for Jefferson City since 1994.

All good things come to those who wait, and the Jefferson City Lady Jays are done waiting.

When the Jefferson City Lady Jays posted wins in the sectional and quarterfinal rounds of tennis Saturday at Branson, topping Springfield Glendale and Branson, they clinched their first Final Four appearance since finishing third in 1994.

That ended five straight Final Four appearances for Jefferson City, as the Lady Jays finished second in 1990, tied for third in 1991, came in second in 1992 and won the title in 1993.

Those results, along with a ....