~ The Tigers couldn't manage a split in singles as they fell at sectionals.

The Central girls tennis team faced an uphill battle Saturday afternoon by the time its Class 2 sectional match against Nerinx Hall resumed at an indoor location due to rain.

The Markers had a 4-2 lead after singles play in the morning at Parkway West High School.

"We needed to play great in singles and get at least a split, and we didn't play great," Tigers coach Annette Slattery said.

The Tigers needed to sweep the three doubles matches at Woodsmill Racquet Club to advance to the quarterfinals, and that would require upsetting a doubles team that finished second at state last year.

Seniors Sarah Ford and Lindsey Pingel played great at times in the No. 1 doubles match, but eventually came up short, losing to Nerinx Hall seniors Pam Ganer and Leslie Ganer, 6-2, 2-6, 6-0. That was the clinching match for Nerinx in a 5-2 victory.

"In the second set, the girls did a great job of waiting for their opportunity and taking advantage of it," Slattery said. "They got down a couple of games in the third set and didn't do the same things they did in the second set."

It was still a great effort by Ford and Pingel against one of the most successful doubles teams in St. Louis.

"I love to watch good doubles, and this was a great match," Nerinx coach Huntley McNab said. "They [Ford and Pingel] are an excellent team. We may well meet them again at the state meet."

The loss ended the season for the Tigers and was the last team match coached by Slattery, who is retiring after 25 years.

But Slattery will take an entry -- in this case a doubles team -- to the state tournament. Ford and Pingel qualified by winning a district title. They will compete in the Class 2 tournament at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield on Friday and Saturday.

Ford, who was crowned homecoming queen Friday night, celebrated on the court with an impressive win at No. 1 singles to highlight the day for the Tigers. She defeated Ellie Ward 6-1, 6-0.

Kristi Lazarova was the other Tigers singles winner Saturday. She won over Ashley Siemers 6-4, 6-0 at No. 5 singles.

Claire Hoffman, who is the only non-senior in the Nerinx lineup, won the pivotal match at No. 6 singles over Sami Gross. The second set went to a tie-breaker and was tied 3-3 before Hoffman scored the final four points in a constant but light rain.

Nerinx and Parkway South will play their quarterfinal match Monday at Parkway South since no indoor facilities were available Saturday.