Staff Writer

The Fort Dale Academy Lady Eagles' tennis team came home from the District Tournament Monday after having won their sixth straight district championship as they defeated Escambia Academy, Monroe Academy and Cottage Hill Academy.

The Lady Eagles dominated their matches, only losing two sets combined.

Number one seed Meredith Mosley, number two Margery Katz, number three Abbie Gardner, number four Laura Skipper and number five Brittany Williams each won their matches.

Doubles partners of Mosley/Katz and

Gardner/Skipper also earned victories.

The next stop for the Lady Eagles will be Huntingdon College next Monday for the state matchups. If the girls survive on Monday they will play on Tuesday for the state championship.

The girls won the state title three years in a row from 1996-98. They lost last year, but Head Coach Johnny Mack Brown said he thinks this years' team has the talent and skill to reclaim championship status.

"Most of them played at the top of their game (during the district tournament). I expect us to have a good shot at it next week. A lot of things could happen between now and then. But, I think we have the players to do it," Brown said.

The girls rested on Tuesday and they will practice the rest of the week to prepare for the state tournament.

The girls finished the season undefeated and have not lost a regular season match since 1996.

The boys did not fare as well at the district contest ending their season at 7-7 overall.

But, Brown said the boys are in good shape to rebound and produce an even better team next year.

"We had a lot of young players. The seniors we had were really supportive of them and taught them a lot that should prove valuable in the future of our program. We now have some young, experienced players that I think could compete for a championship in the future," he said.