SIKESTON -- The Sikeston tennis team swept past Dexter for the third timeTuesday afternoon 9-0.

"The doubles came out and played well even though the won-loss column doesn't reflect their effort," Dexter tennis coach Dennis Keith said. "The team is beginning to play each point much better now than earlier in the season.

"Before they would hold on to the previous play too much and let it affect the next point," Keith continued. "I still see some standing around and watching their shots, instead of moving into position to be ready for the next, but there is much less of that now than earlier in the season.

Keith thinks his young team could be much improved with some off season play.

"Brauck Burge is only a freshman and he is really showing some progress," Keith noted. "He's learning the game and with some experience, I think he'll challenge some of the upper class men next year."

Keith also likes what he sees in sophomore Ryan Windham.

"Ryan will be a force to be reckoned with next year," Keith added. "He's improved tremendously. He has had to play up against some really tough competition this year, but I can see it is beginning to pay off. Ryan has the best forehand on the team and with some work on his serve, he will be in the running for the No. 1 spot next season.

The match was varsity only.

The Bearcats will next be in action against the Poplar Bluff Mules at home. District play is scheduled for May 8 at Sikeston.

For complete results, see page 7 of the Daily Statesman under the Scoreboard.

Singles results:

1. Clay Matthews (SHS) def. Ryan Windham (DHS), 8-0

2. Stuart Strom (SHS) def. Dusty Potter (DHS), 8-0

3. Justin Deere (SHS) def. Berry Burge (DHS), 8-0

4. Seth Colwick (SHS) def. Brauck Burge (DHS), 8-1

5. Adam Martin (SHS) def. Trevor Burnham (DHS), 8-4

6. Clay Tongate (SHS) def. Greg Ulm (DHS), 8-2

Doubles:

1. Matthews/Colwick (SHS) def. Windham/Potter (DHS), 8-5

2. Strom/Deere (SHS) def. Burge/Burge (DHS), 8-2

3. Martin/Tongate (SHS) def. Burnham/Ulm (DHS), 8-1