SHS' Jones and Robey win first two matches

SPRINGFIELD - The Sikeston tennis doubles team of Peter Jones and Chris Robey won their first two matches in the Class 1 State Tennis Tournament in Springfield on Friday.

The two defeated Pembroke Hill's Mark Danforth and David Lyons, 6-4, 6-3. Jones and Robey then defeated Duchesne's Brandon Blase and Jeff Tansey, 6-2, 6-4.

The tournament resumed on Saturday so results will be in Tuesday's edition.

As of press time, Jones and Robey were still alive for a state championship and could finish no worse than fourth place.

They were scheduled to meet Teddy Felker and Teddy White of John Burroughs on Saturday.

"Peter and Chris had a really good day," said Sikeston tennis coach Brian James. "We drew Pembroke Hill right off the bat so we knew it was going to be tough. They came back with Duchesne, which is another tough team. They had two very tough matches. They've already achieved their goal of placing. Hopefully they can do a little better than they're expected. We've got John Burroughs in the semifinals and they were the favorite going in. But we're right where we want to be and we're excited about it."

Sikeston singles player Marc Leible was eliminated from play with two losses Friday. He fell to Jack Levis of MICDS, 6-0, 6-1. He then lost to Pembroke Hill's Daniel Gillespie, 7-6 (1), 6-2.

"Marc played probably the favorite to win the singles title with the kid from MICDS," said James. "He's the odds-on favorite to win it all and that's a tough opening draw. He then had to play the good singles player from Pembroke Hill. "The draw wasn't very favorable but he played and he battled. It's his second year in a row to make it here so he's got nothing to be ashamed about."

Charleston singles player Alec Peterson was eliminated from state play with two losses.

He fell to Josh Goldstein of Clayton, 6-3, 6-1. He then lost in the consolation quarterfinals to Bishop LeBlond's Cody Pflugradt, 6-4, 6-7 (7), 7-5.

The Charleston doubles team of Lee Hess and Blake Branum won a match in the consolation round, but suffered two losses to eliminate them from state play.

They lost in the first round to Pembroke Hill's Blake Goza and David Magill, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

They then defeated Ozark's Alex Elmore and Aaron Mastroianni, 7-5, 6-4.

Branum and Hess were then eliminated by Blase and Tansey, 6-3, 6-4.