Dexter drops first match of the fall tennis season in 'frustrating' fashion

Dexter High School senior Puja Maisuria returns a shot in the No. 3 singles match on Monday against Farmington at Dexter High School.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

DEXTER – The Dexter High School varsity tennis season is not going to be a perfect one any longer, as it dropped its first match of the autumn 5-4 against Farmington on Monday at Dexter High School.

“It was frustrating,” veteran Bearcat coach Kristi Boles said of the match.

Boles found it “frustrating” because after watching her team open the year with three successive victories, her team didn’t possess the aggression that it needed against the Knights (3-1).

“I hope that (the players) are a little bit mad at themselves after losing that one,” Boles said. “I think we had it at one point and needed to work on our mental game.”

Farmington claimed the top three singles matches, but top Bearcat player, senior Febe Worley nearly took her match before falling 9-7.

“Right now,” Boles said of Worley, who stands nearly 6 feet tall, “she is relaying on her footwork. She is pretty good at moving to the ball and getting to balls that (the opposition) doesn’t think she can get to.”

Dexter senior Sophia James dropped the No. 2 singles match 8-1 while senior Puja Maisuria fell in the No. 3 singles match 8-4.

“We are struggling with finishing matches,” Boles said. “We are struggling when we get down (and) keeping a positive attitude to come back with.”

Bearcat senior Kinley Kennedy grabbed the No. 4 singles match 8-6, as her strong first serve proved effective at times.

Dexter junior Sera Churchill lost the No. 5 singles match 8-1 and junior Jalynn Proffer won the No. 6 singles match 8-5.

In doubles play, Worley and Maisuria fell in the top match 8-3 while James and Kennedy teamed up in the No. 2 match for an 8-5 victory.

The Bearcats grabbed the No. 3 doubles match, as Churchill and junior Blair Medley won 8-5.

“It’s not our tennis right now,” Boles said of the night of struggles, “it was our mental game.”

The Bearcats (3-1) will visit Kennett with Holcomb (6-0-1) today at 4 p.m.