MERIDIAN – The Jones County Junior College Lady Bobcat tennis team is heading to nationals for the fifth time in the past six years.

JCJC assured themselves of finishing in the top three of the Region 23 Tournament with a solid performance here Tuesday in the semifinals. The nationals will be held May 2-7 in Tucson, Ariz.

Heading into Wednesday’s championship round, Meridian leads the tournament with 9 points, followed by Hinds with 5 and Jones with 4. Itawamba failed to win a match and will finish in fourth place with 0 points.

Jones will be going for titles in four spots.

In No. 4 singles, Mary Carole Kiewit of Jones defeated Hailee Melton of Hinds, 7-5, 6-2. At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Kiewit will meet Katy Shopteaugh of Meridian.

In No. 5 singles, JCJC’s Tiffany Hudson beat Lori Byrd of Itawamba, 6-4, 6-1. Hudson faces Kayla Daughtrey of Meridian at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

In No. 6 singles, Rebecca Rogers of Jones beat Carly Miller of Hinds, 6-2, 6-1. Rogers will face Claire Massey of Meridian at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

In No. 3 doubles, Rogers and Jillian McNeese defeated Miller and Jackie Johnson of Hinds, 6-2, 6-2. Rogers and McNeese will play MCC’s Daughtrey and Massey at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The Lady Bobcats came up short in their five other matches on Tuesday.

In No. 1 singles, Erica Walker lost to Anna Vavrik of Meridian, 6-0, 6-0. Vavrik is ranked No. 4 in the nation.

In No. 2 singles, Rachel Whaley lost to Kelly Sterling of Meridian, 6-1, 6-1.

In No. 3 singles, Meredith Johnson lost to Sherika Trader of Hinds, 6-3, 6-3.

In No. 1 doubles, Walker and Whaley fell to Vavrik and Sterling of MCC, 6-0, 6-1.

In No. 2 doubles, Johnson and J.J. Benson fell to Trader and Melton of Hinds, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.