ST. CHARLES – While the final place-winners at the IHSA St. Charles East girls tennis sectional are set to be decided today, several Chronicle-area athletes clinched berths to next week’s state tournament as play began Friday.

In doubles, St. Charles East’s top tandem of Haydyn Jones and Kelsie Roberton were among the qualifiers, completing a strong career climb.

“I’m absolutely thrilled for them,” Saints coach Sena Drawer said. “They have been working really, really hard and really trying to make this happen. They’ve been on varsity since they were freshmen, played fourth doubles and last year moved up to first doubles, but it was still very much a developmental year. ... This year [state] has been the goal.”