FROM STAFF REPORTS

St. Paul’s Episcopal School didn’t allow Cathryn Marie Albright or Briarwood Christian stand in its way Tuesday on the way capturing the Class 5A girls tennis state championship.

Albright, the defending state champion in 5A No. 1 singles, fell to St. Paul’s Ebie Wilson 6-0, 6-1 in the semifinals Friday morning, as Wilson went on to win the title.

Nene Stephens also captured a state title for St. Paul’s by defeating Briarwood’s Alex Epps in No. 2 singles play, 6-0 and 6-3. Christie Taylor also advanced to the semifinals for Briarwood in singles play, falling 6-3,6-3 to Walker’s Kristen Mosley, while she and Albright fell short in the No. 1 doubles semifinals to Lauren Gilley and Francie O’Hea of UMS-Wright in three sets. Epps and Abby Cunningham fell to Muscle Shoals in the No. 2 doubles semifinal.

Briarwood finished fourth overall with 28 points.

Another defending champion hoping to repeat is Indian Springs’ No. 1 boys’ player Arie Heftner in Classes 1A-3A, when ISS hits the courts in Jacksonville today through Friday. The ISS girls also qualified for the tournament.

In Class 6A, Pelham and Spain Park boys open play today and tomorrow in Mobile.

Briarwood’s boys qualified but were eliminated on Monday