RIDGELAND — Lindsey Hall and Betsy Lynch carried Brookhaven’sstate title hopes into the semifinals of the Class 4A TennisTournament today. They played Dana Kinzel and Stephanie Sexton ofPontotoc at the Ridgeland Tennis Center.

In Monday’s opening round, Hall and Lynch won twice. Theydefeated Molly Talbott and Julie Gaines of Neshoba Central 6-0, 6-1and Emily Lott and Kara Hill of Petal 6-3, 6-3 in thequarterfinals.

Brookhaven, the defending state champion, was leading the teamstandings with 6 points after the first day of competition. NewAlbany and Ridgeland both had 5 points. Stone County, Pontotoc andLaurel each had 4 points.

The Panthers won all 5 of their opening round matches but Halland Lynch were the only winners in the quarterfinals.

“It was a great experience for our younger players,” said BHStennis coach David Misner. “But we ran into some really good teamsin the second round.”

In boys singles, freshman Elliott Warren defeated Neal Alford ofHouston 7-5, 6-3 in the opening round. Warren was forced to forfeithis second round match to Doug Olson of Stone County because of aprior commitment to playing second base for the BHS baseball teamMonday afternoon in the regional tournament.

In girls singles, Brookhaven’s Jessica Barnthouse defeatedBounds of South Jones 6-0, 6-1. Collins of Itawamba defeatedBarnthouse 6-0, 6-0 in the second round.

In boys doubles, Mitch Huckaby and Jeffrey Kintner of Brookhavendefeated McNeal-Matthews of Northeast Lauderdale 6-3, 6-4 in theopening round. They lost a 7-5, 6-2 decision to Alford-Shield ofKosciusko in the quarterfinals.

In mixed doubles, Claire Cox and Giles Langston of Brookhavendefeated Gordon-McCollum of Yazoo City 6-0, 6-0 in the openinground. They were eliminated by No. 2 seeds Katie Campbell-KyleDavis of New Albany 6-2, 6-1.