Jackson netters fall at state tourney

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Jackson High School's Nicole Poythress won her first match but then suffered two straight losses Friday as the Class 4A State Tennis Tournament got under way here.

Poythress defeated Ebony Palmer of Hazelwood East 6-0, 6-0 in the opening round.

Then Poythress had the misfortune of running into defending state champion Kiki Stastny of St. Joseph's Academy in the quarterfinals. Stastny romped 6-1, 6-0. Poythress was then eliminated in the consolation quarterfinals 6-1, 6-1 by Stephanie Smarr of Columbia Rock Bridge.

Jackson's doubles team of Kelly Mitchell and Carly Vogelsang lost both its matches Friday, 6-3, 6-2 to a squad from Hazelwood Central and 6-1, 7-5 to a team from Springfield Kickapoo.

In Class 1A-3A, Charleston's doubles team of Courtney McClendon won its first match but lost its next two. Charleston's other doubles squad of Mindi Luehmann and Emily McDowell lost both its matches.