Kickapoo beats Joplin in regionals

October 14, 2008 01:32 am

— From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Kickapoo Chiefs, who claimed the Class 2 District 6 girls tennis championship last week, eliminated Joplin from further post-season team play Monday with a 5-0 regional victory at the Cooper Complex.
The top four teams qualified last Friday for the regionals. The No. 1 Chiefs played the Eagles, who finished fourth, and No. 2 Glendale takes on No. 3 Branson today. Winners advance to the sectionals.
In singles, Joplin’s No. 1 player, Rachel Lazenby, sustained an ankle sprain and was forced to default to Mackenzie Rozell, who was leading 2-1 in the opening set. In the other singles, the Eagles’ Siri Ancha lost to Annie Armstrong 6-2, 6-1.
Doubles results, with Joplin players listed first, were Lazenby-Hannah Ingle, losing to Carlee Rozell-Mackenzie Rozell 6-2, 6-3; Denise Moreno-Ericka Freeborn losing to Lindsay Grey-Danielle Benson 6-4, 6-2; and Ancha-Lexi Willcoxson losing to Kelly McCall-Amanda Covington 6-2, 6-1.
Only 32 Missouri teams made it into regional play according to Joplin coach Sean McWilliams.
With team competition over for the Eagles, one player, Lazenby, remains for individual state competition Oct. 24-25 at Cooper. Lazenby, a junior, qualified by winning the district championship last Friday.
McWilliams said he expects her ankle to be healed in time for another run at the state singles title. Lazenby was eliminated last year in consolation semifinals.