St. Joseph's Academy tennis player Misia Kedzierski was playing the match of her high school career Wednesday at the Class 2 district championship.

And that is saying a lot as the senior has won a pair of individual state singles championships and also helped her Angel team to the team title in each of her three years.

Kedzierski had taken the first set of her championship match against talented Kirkwood senior Rachel Stuhlmann, 6-0 and was involved in a long rally in the first game of the second set.

But dreams of a happy ending to a spectacular high school career appeared to be shattered as Kedzierksi lay on the court at St. Joe's in agony after rolling her ankle.

"It's all kind of a blur to me still," Kedzierski said. "I was trying to change directions and just went down. I don't think I've ever been in that much pain."

Kedzierksi went to see noted Sports Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Rick Lehman the next day and the news was mixed.

"Misia had every reason to be in a lot of pain," said Dr. Lehman, whose daughter Alex is the defending Class 1 state singles champion. "It was a terrible sprain although at least it was not a high ankle sprain. Misia is so talented and she is a very tough kid and a fierce competitior. We will just have to wait and see how she responds in the next week. I would say her chances of playing at state are about 50-50 now. I would be a lot more optimistic if we had four weeks instead of two."

The state team tournament will be played Oct. 22 in Springfield with the individual championship the next two days.

"I have no idea if I am going to be able to play or not, a lot will depend on how I feel after I get the cast off on Tuesday," Kedzierski said. "I want to play if at all possible, especially in the team event. I am concerned with the individual tournament but I really want to help the team win its sixth straight title (which would be a state record). I don't want to let the team down. I will do everything I can, even if it is just to be there to support them."

But things will go a lot smoother if Kedzierski is somehow able to contribute on the court.

"She was just on fire in that match against Rachel," St. Joe's coach Doug Smith said. "I have never seen her play better, both on offense and defense. I told her I was searching for the right words to describe her play that day. The two I came up with were spectacular and magnificent.

"Our hearts go out to Misia re this sad turn of events, yet her desire to still help the team fulfill its quest is downright heart-warming to her teammates and coaches. We know she has a bright future in college and perhaps beyond as well, so we understand how important is is for her to heal up properly regardless of how much time that will take.

"True to the adage that one should hope for the best but prepare for the worst, we will therefore have to prepare for the contingency that Misia will not be able to play in St. Joe's bid for state and anything she is able to do to help the team now will be a most welcome bonus."