Tribe rolls past West Plains, into sectional round

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Vickie Panousis backhands the ball during her regional match with West Plains' Hailey Copeland Wednesday at Wheatley Courts. Panousis defeated Copeland 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to help Kennett advance into Saturday's sectional against Visitation. [Click to enlarge]

The Kennett Lady Indians' late-season surge continues to roll on.

Winners of seven of the last nine matches, the Lady Tribe continued its hot play with a 5-0 win over the West Plains Lady Zizzers in a Class 1 regional contest Wednesday at Wheatley Courts.

Wednesday's match, a best-of-nine contest, was called with Kennett (7-5) ahead 5-0.

"The girls played great -- each and every one of them," Kennett coach Jenet Hilburn said. "The conditions today were tough with it being cold and damp, but my team was ready for the challenge."

They were indeed. Four of Kennett's five victories came in straight sets, while Vickie Panousis pulled out a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win in the only three-set match of the day and Alexandra Brown was on the verge of sweeping her opponent when she retired with Brown ahead 5-4 in the second set.

"Every player came out strong from the very beginning and never looked back," said Hilburn.

Kennett will take on Visitation Academy (10-1) in sectional play on Saturday at a site to be announced.

"My team continues to play hard," Hilburn said. "Their effort has shown throughout the season as well as the postseason."

Varsity
Kennett 5, West Plains 0
Singles
Yiota Panousis won 6-1, 6-0
Brianna Burcham won 6-1, 6-3
Vickie Panousis won 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
Caroline Shetley won 6-0, 6-2
Mallory Lancaster won 7-5, 6-0