The Houston tennis team is playing for a district championship Thursday. The second-seeded Tigers face No. 1 Willow Springs at 2 p.m. in the finale of Class 1 District 9 in Willow Springs.

The Tigers (9-2) advanced to the title game with a 5-1 victory Tuesday against No. 3 West Plains. HHS received a first-round bye.

Willow Springs also had a bye before beating Liberty 5-1. The Bears have a 10-6 record.

Houston lost just two times during the regular season: a 6-3 season-opening defeat March 18 to Waynesville and 7-2 on April 16 at Rolla. The Tigers won six straight matches between losses and have won three in a row after their latest defeat.

HHS and Willow Springs did not play in the regular season. The match was canceled due to inclement weather.

Here’s the district bracket:

First round

(4) Liberty 5, (5) Mountain Grove 4

(3) West Plains 5, (6) Licking 0

Semifinals

(1) Willow Springs 5, Liberty 1

(2) Houston 5, West Plains 1

Championship

(1) Willow Springs vs. (2) Houston, 2 p.m.