Jackson sweeps Central in tennis regional

JACKSON — After turning back rival Central in two close regular-season matches this season, the Jackson girls tennis team had no problem with the Tigers in Wednesday's Class 2 state regional match.

"Do you think we wanted it more?" senior Erinne Haff asked No. 1 doubles partner Alison Keiper.

"I think we did," Keiper answered.

"It was our last time playing them," Haff said, "and we wanted to stick it to 'em this time."

The Indians stuck it to Central 5-0, completing a three-match sweep this season after not beating Central the six previous seasons. Both previous matches this year were decided by 5-4 scores.

"They bring out the best in us," Jackson coach David Brummel, whose team improved to 13-2 in dual matches with the program's second victory in nine state tournament appearances. "Beating somebody three times is a challenge, especially a good team like Central."

The reward for the Indians is a chance to play 10 a.m. Saturday in Frontenac in the sectional against St. Joseph's Academy, a program Brummel called "infamously good." The Angels won their 13th state championship last year.

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com Central's Kristi Lazarova returns the ball Wednesday during a doubles match against Jackson's Alison Keiper and Erinne Haff at the Jackson tennis courts.

"It'll be a learning experience," Keiper said.

"I'm a little nervous but confident," said No. 3 singles player Chelsea Jones, who won the clinching match Wednesday. "I haven't heard too much about them before this year because we never had to play them before."

The Indians knew the Tigers well, though, and the third time was just as charming as the first two meetings for Jackson.

"It just kind of makes the season worthwhile to get to play Cape again and beat them," Jones said. "It kind of sums up our season.

"I thought it would be close. I didn't think we'd win all five right away."

But Jackson swept the doubles against Central for the first time this season, as Haff and Keiper posted a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory against the district championship team of Kristi Lazarova and Christen Edmonds.

The Central duo, which fell to 16-2 for the season, beat Haff and Keiper in Saturday's district semifinal match, which was the deciding match for the state doubles tournament berth.

"We were more relaxed," Haff said. "We had lost to them three times before, so there was no pressure on us. We just relaxed and had fun."

"We wanted to have a great memory for our senior year," Keiper said, "and this is it."

"I knew the No. 1 doubles was going to be a tough match," said Central coach Bryce Kristal, a first-year coach after recently completing her playing career at Southeast Missouri State.

She didn't select any particular match as one that could turn the tide in Central's favor Wednesday.

"There's always a chance for everything to change," Kristal said. "We were that close this year."

But another outcome that changed also favored Jackson: Singles player Raechel Batz won for the first time in a dual against Central, defeating Sami Gross 7-6 (5), 6-2 at No. 4.

She had lost twice this year to Central's Brooke Morris, who moved up to No. 3 and lost to Jones.

Jones, a junior and one of just two non-seniors in Jackson's lineup along with Kaylyn Sneathen, had won her first set Wednesday when the No. 1 doubles match concluded the Indians' sweep of doubles.

"I tried not to think about it too much and tried not to get too cocky about it," Jones said. "I wanted to stay level-headed, but I knew when we won the No. 1 doubles, we had it.

"We all wanted to make the sectional, especially for the seniors."

"Having these seniors," said Brummel, a third-year coach, "with the experience they bring, from the first match of the season, they just set the bar high."

Jackson's seniors had not tasted much success in past years against Central.

"I don't even remember us winning a match against them when we played them," Haff said.

"I think we won one each time last year," Keiper corrected.

The rivalry, however, has its friendly side. Lazarova vacationed with the Haffs this summer to watch the RCA Championships in Indianapolis, and the two players hit against each other often during the summer. Kristal has invited Haff and Keiper to practice to get her doubles team ready for the state tournament.

Her squad finished the year 13-7.

"It's been a great first year," Kristal said. "All my varsity players ended the season with winning singles records."

@z_agate_no tab_no indnt_bld ld:Jackson 5, Central 0

Doubles

No. 1 — Erinne Haff-Alison Keiper (J) def. Kristi Lazarova-Christen Edmonds 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

No. 2 — Maura Naeder-Raechel Batz (J) def. Brooke Morris-Sami Gross 6-3, 6-1.

No. 3 — Kaylyn Sneathen-Jade Freeman (J) def. Paige Kinder-Ali Billmeyer 6-3, 6-3.

Singles

No. 3 — Chelsea Jones (J) def. Morris 6-3, 6-2.

No. 4 — Betz (J) def. Gross 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Jackson's No. 5 Ashley Ptacek led 3-0 in the first set and No. 6 Maura Naeder led 6-4, 5-4 when the match was suspended.