Staples teammates Audrey Kercher, left, and Karenna Birns have advanced to the state tennis semis. / Contributed photo by Jena Wider

By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — Staples High’s girls tennis first doubles team — Karenna Birns and Audrey Kercher — has advanced to the semifinals in the State Invitational. 

The girls are seeded 3 in the state. They defeated Glastonbury 6-0, 6-1, in the Round of 16 and advanced to the quarterfinals, where they defeated Fairfield Warde 6-0, 6-3. 

They are set to play No 2 seed Amity at 3:30 p.m. today, (Wednesday, June 7) at Wesleyan University.

“They work incredibly well together and have a very good shot at taking the state title,” Coach Jena Wider said. 

“These two senior girls have been tremendous assets to our team for the last three years and will be very missed.”