By THE HERALD-WHIG STAFF

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. -- For the second consecutive year, the Palmyra girls tennis clinched a district champonship.

This year, the Panthers did it in dominating fashion.

Palmyra swept Mexico 5-0 Thursday to win the Class 1, District 8 title and advance to the sectional round as a team.

Kendra Maples was a big influenced in Palmyra's title.

Maples teamed up with Emmy Griesbaum at No. 1 doubles and swept Mexico's Grace Wortman and Julie Rothermich 8-0. At No. 2 doubles, Raegan Barnett and Amy Bryan defeated Sophie McKeown and Hannah Rogers 8-3.

Palmyra's Lauren Wear and Robby Meyers won at No. 3 doubles 8-1 over Jennifer Jacobi and Carrie Kristofferson.

"The doubles teams looked good," Palmyra coach Jessica Gottman said. "They scored several exciting points."

Palmyra needed just two singles matches to clinch the district title.

Griesbaum won her singles match over McKeown 6-2, 6-0.

Meyers defeated Kristofferson 6-2, 6-2.

When Palmyra scored its fifth point, the other singles matches didn't need to finish.

Palmyra will play Incarnate Word in the sectional round Oct. 7.

Class 1, District 8 Championship

Palmyra 5, Mexico 0

Singles

Emmy Griesbaum (P) d. Sophie McKeown, 6-2, 6-0

Robby Meyers (P) d. Carrie Kristofferson, 6-2, 6-2

Doubles

Kendra Maples/Griesbaum (P) d. Grace Wortman/Julie Rothermich, 8-0

Raegan Barnett/Amy Bryan (P) d. McKeown/Hannah Rogers, 8-3

Lauren Wear/Meyers (P) d. Jennifer Jacobi/Kristofferson, 8-1