Sikeston tennis drops home match to Marion, Ill., 6-3

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- A win from top-seed Layton Jones couldn't help the Sikeston Bulldogs overcome Marion, Ill., Wednesday as the Bulldogs fell 6-3.

Jones took down Tommy Wilson 8-6 and teamed up with Brett Johnson in doubles competition to claim another win.

"We played well against Marion today," Sikeston head coach Russ Dial said. They've been one of the most skilled teams we've faced all year and we got a couple matches closer to them this second meeting. Our number one (Layton) played extremely well even though he was under the weather."

Jones and Johnson defeated Jake Erwin and Mitchell Dierkes 8-5 while the duo of Edward McClain and Jordan Wheatley also claimed a doubles win.

McClain and Wheatley held off Blake Horner and Jared Baysinger for an 8-6 decision.

"We got two doubles matches today and in most cases when you get two doubles matches you come out on top," Dial said. "So with these new varsity doubles arrangements I hope we can continue that trend."

On the junior varsity side the Bulldogs split with Marion 2-2. Colton Dodson and Adam Smith each picked up a 6-4 win with Marion taking both doubles contest in jayvee action.

Next up, Sikeston will host district opponent Oakville today at 4 p.m.

Varsity Singles

1. Layton Jones (S) def. Tommy Wilson (M), 8-6

2. Logan Bennett (M) def. Mark Jones (S), 8-0

3. Malachi Williams (M) def. Coby McMikle (S), 8-4

4. Mitchell Dierkes (M) def. Brett Johnson (S), 8-2

5. Jake Erwin (M) def. Edward McClain (S), 8-6

6. Gage Mofield (M) def. Jordan Wheatley (S), 8-4

Varsity Doubles

1. Layton Jones/Johnson (S) def. Erwin/Dierkes (M), 8-5

2. Wilson/Bennett (M) def. Mark Jones/McMikley (S), 8-1

3. McClain/Wheatley (S) def. Blake Horner/ Jared Baysinger (M), 8-6

Junior Varsity Singles

1. Colton Dodson (S) def. Dustin Reed (M), 6-4

2. Adam Smith (S) def. Vitya Nolen (M), 6-4

Junior Varsity Doubles

1. Williams/Mofield (M) def. Dodson/Anthony Le (S), 6-1

2. Reed/Nolen def. Smith/Beau Bryant (S), 6-3