NATCHEZ — Natchez High School sophomore Valencia Bonds served her way to a district championship last Thursday at the Division 6-6A tennis championship at Duncan Park.

Bonds’ win advances her to the state tournament May 9 and 10 in Jackson.

“(Bonds) is very consistent and dedicated,” Natchez coach Melissa Johnson said. “She had a good serve and strong ground strokes.”

“(I am) really proud. We had to push her, but we knew she could do it.”

Bonds took the Girls’ singles final by a score of 6-2, 6-0.

Bonds went undefeated in district play and is the top ranked player in the district, Johnson said.

Some of the other Bulldog players had good showings at the tournament, as well, but fell just short of winning.

The girls’ doubles team of Ke’Anti Murphy and Jasmine Davis lost in a tiebreaker in the championship round, 1-6, 6-4, 10-7.

Johnson said the girls’ team played very well and Davis played a great net game.

The boys’ doubles team of Darius Brown and Raheem Clark also lost in the championship round, 6-2, 6-3.

“(Our teams) played really well,” Johnson said. “(We had) great sportsmanship, great teamwork and (we were) very determined.”

Jim Hill, Wingfield and Terry also participated in the tournament.

Jim Hill and Terry each had three teams advance to the state tournament by winning the Division Tournament, Johnson said.

Wingfield did not have a team win district and Natchez had only one.