FARMINGTON – Abby Jent and Virginia Lugo each gained a measure of redemption by avenging recent losses, and the Farmington girls tennis team celebrated a clean sweep of the MAAA.
The Knights followed up their unbeaten conference regular season Thursday with an MAAA tournament title, sweeping all nine combined singles and doubles brackets for the maximum 27 points.
Jent set the tone at the No. 1 singles ranking with an 8-2 triumph over Taylor Starkey of Fredericktown after stumbling twice against her earlier this season.
Lugo also thrived in an immediate rematch after falling to Michelle Whitaker of Potosi two days earlier, rolling to an 8-2 victory at No. 3 singles.
The championship round in each bracket resembled the conference season in general as Farmington enjoyed a margin of three duels in the win column.
The closest scores in title matches occurred at No. 6 singles, as Susan Rippee topped Skyler Hennen of Fredericktown, and No. 2 doubles where Lugo paired with Bekah Kimpel for an identical 8-4 outcome.
Baylee Gilliam dominated at No. 5 singles for Farmington, defeating both of her opponents 8-0. Mary Kate Burcham at No. 2 and Kimpel at No. 4 rolled 8-2 in their respective finals.
The tournament began in the morning with doubles action, and the Knights quickly separated from the pack by collecting their first nine team points.
Jent and Burcham turned aside an 8-3 challenge from Starkey and Peppers, while Gilliam and Rippee pounced for early control to win 8-1 against Taylor Campbell and Molly Hamby of Potosi.
All-conference honors were awarded to Jent, Starkey and Jamie O’Hara, who was unable to compete for North County on Thursday.
Potosi secured a 13-12 edge over Fredericktown for second place under the tournament format after the rivals split two previous encounters.
The Lady Trojans were paced by five runner-up efforts on Thursday, including Whitaker, Campbell and Sarah Hornsey during the singles phase.
Lacey Portell of Potosi edged Sidney Tyndall of Arcadia Valley 8-5 for third place at No. 1 singles.
Starkey, Peppers and Hennen each advanced to singles finals for the Lady Blackcats, and Liz Hinkle picked up third at No. 3 level with an 8-3 triumph.
Meagan Matlock notched third place at No. 2 singles for North County, and Faith Sasser did likewise at No. 4 for Arcadia Valley.
Farmington will compete in another tourney on Friday at Waynesville before the focus for all teams shifts to district action next week.
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