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Sports Editor
RIDGELAND - Four of Monroe County's five tennis teams in the weekend's MHSAA Class 3A state tennis championships entered semifinal play after quarterfinal wins on Friday at Ridgeland Tennis Center.
On Saturday, the tennis season ended for all four.
The lone loss on Friday came for Aberdeen's No 1 girls doubles team of Summer Burnette and Cori Reece. Monroe County rival Amory eliminated the duo 7-5, 6-2.
Amory's Sarah Kate Coleman and Brennan Harris then dropped two straight sets to Newton County after taking a 6-3 opening set in Saturday's semifinals.
It was the fourth straight appearance for Burnette, whose previous entries were in singles play.
It was only the fourth match for Burnette and Reece together. An injury forced Burnette from singles and coach Marquis Burnette placed her with Reece.
"Anytime they can go (to state), that's a good experience for them," Burnette said.
"I think we'll be way better next year."
Burnette said Reece's former partner, Linda Scarbrough, will likely be back with her next season as Burnette goes back to singles.
Scarbrough and Merica Merhundrew were a match away from advancing to Ridgeland this season in girls No. 2 doubles.
Amory's No. 1 boys double team of Howard Summers and Jason Simpson may have lost the toughest match of the tournament when they fell 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 against Corinth. They beat Carthage 6-1, 6-1 on Friday.
Amory's No. 2 boys doubles team of Madison Francis and Andrew Ginn beat Carthage 6-4, 7-6 on Friday before falling to eventual champs, Corinth's Brandon Gardner and Ben Nhek 6-2, 6-0 in Saturday's semifinals.
Nettleton's mixed doubles team of Taylor Evans and Kevin Neal beat Purvis 6-4, 6-3 on Friday before losing 6-1, 6-2 to Newton County in the semis.