SIKESTON - The Class 1A-3A District 1 tennis tournament will kick things off tomorrow at Sikeston High School and the Sikeston Country Club.
The Sikeston Bulldogs will be favored to repeat as district champions this year with the top-seeded singles and doubles players.
"We returned most of our team from last year so we've had high expectations all year long," said Sikeston head coach Brian James, whose team finished the regular season 11-1. "The guys have really stepped it up and have really done well this year. We've just got to get to Thursday and see how we do."
Singles senior standout Stephen Pobst garnered the top seed with an undefeated record of 16-0. Pobst qualified for the state tournament last year.
In doubles, the team of junior Ryne Vickery and sophomore Peter Jones have compiled a record of 11-2 to take the top seed. The duo also qualified for the state tournament last year.
"I think Pobst is so much better than he was a year ago -- and also Peter and Ryne in doubles are much better than they were," said James. "All three of them have really picked their game up. They work on it, they go to Cape and play indoors when the weather's bad. They've dedicated themselves to get to where they've gotten."
Bulldog senior Adam Hahs (14-1) got the No. 3 seed in singles behind Charleston's Alec Peterson. Dexter's Chris Robinson was seeded No. 4.
The Sikeston doubles team of Chris Robey and Marc Leible (10-3) weren't seeded but they will compete in the tournament.
Dexter's doubles team of Amos Smith and Drew Wethington got the No. 4 seed.
Charleston, Dexter and Arcadia Valley will provide the biggest obstacles in trying to prevent Sikeston from winning the district championship.
"Winning it again is definitely a team goal," said James. "I know after we got done with the state tournament last year the guys were immediately talking about how they're going to raise their game another notch. But they want to get that district title first, then they'll concentrate on the next step."
The tournament will get started tomorrow at 9 a.m.