Cape Central girls tennis wins rubber match over Sikeston 8-1

By Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Megan Maxton competes during Cape Central's 8-1 win at Sikeston at Wednesday, Sep. 28.

Dennis Marshall/Standard Democrat

SIKESTON — After splitting the two previous meetings earlier this season, the Cape Central girls' tennis team won the rubber match at Sikeston on Wednesday, Sep. 28.

The Lady Tigers (4-15) won 8-1 and took the wind out of the Lady Bulldogs (2-13) sails early with some victories in tightly contested doubles battles.

“The girls played very well tonight,” said Sikeston coach Spencer Ayers. “We had a lot of close matches, especially in doubles. We’re all proud of the progress we’ve seen. It's been a long season but they keep battling. I've very optimistic about the future with the younger girls we have coming back.”

Juliet Collins competes during Cape Central's 8-1 win at Sikeston at Wednesday, Sep. 28.

Dennis Marshall/Standard Democrat

Cape Central won 8-6 at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles when Kate Buckley and Sydnee Williams defeated Chloe Lin and Juliet Collins and Lucy Cook and Sydney Britt defeated Natalie Wright and Alanna Jones.

Wright went on to beat Britt at No. 5 singles with a score of 8-1.

“[Wright] had an awesome singles match tonight,” Ayers said. “I've told her all season that if she locks in she can play with anyone. Well, tonight she locked in early and didn't let her foot off the gas. She did a great job of anticipating where the ball was going and getting to her spot for a good shot.”

No. 3 and No. 3 singles were competitive matches with Williams defeating Collins and Buckley beating Deonna Drury, 8-4 and 8-3, respectively, and Cook won 8-2 over Jones at No. 6 singles.

Maria Mijangos and Megan Maxton won 8-0 at No. 1 and No. 2 singles. The pair also won 8-0 at No. 1 doubles.

Ayers said Mijangos was the best tennis player the team has faced all season.

“[Cape Central] had some other really good athletes too,” he said. “They’re a deep and talented team.”

Both teams will compete in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 Tournament at Notre Dame High School in Cape Girardeau on Monday, Oct. 3.

Cape Central faces Farmington (4-7) and Sikeston takes on St. Puis X (9-2) at 4 p.m.

If both teams were to win they would face off for the fourth time in the quarterfinals.