ON TO THE FINALS: Lady Mules down Festus, will play for district title

Poplar Bluff’s Kaitlyn Booker hits the ball during Tuesday’s Class 2 District 1 girls team tennis match against Festus at the Poplar Bluff High School tennis courts.

DAR/Mike Buhler

The Poplar Bluff Lady Mules tennis team got a strong performance from its doubles teams, fueling a 5-0 shutout win over Festus in the Class 2 District 1 team semifinals Tuesday at the Poplar Bluff High School tennis courts.

“Our girls came out strong in doubles, and I think that gave the momentum they needed to stay up, stay ahead and focus on winning singles,” Poplar Bluff coach Michelle Massey said afterwards.

The No. 1 doubles team of Kaitlyn Booker and Molly Maurer — who have already qualified for state as individuals — picked up an 8-0 shutout win, while the No, 3 doubles pair of Elle Wiseman and Meaghan Popp won 8-1 and the No. 2 doubles team of Hannah Kee and Hannah Wiseman edged out their opponents 8-6.

In singles play, Booker shut out Rosalie Tedford 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, while Maurer downed Mollie Drury 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 singles to secure Poplar Bluff’s fifth win — and the match.

Poplar Bluff hosts either Farmington or Notre Dame at 4 p.m. on Wednesday for the district title.

The winner of Wednesday’s district championship match will meet the District 3 champion in a state quarterfinals match on Monday, Oct. 21.