Jerry Jarrell photos Dexter's Dusty Potter (above) and Tyler Batchelor (right) are shown in action during their doubles win against Poplar Bluff Thursday at home in the season opener for both squads. The Dexter pair posted a 9-8 win, taking the victory with a 7-4 score in the tiebreaker. Dexter lost the match, 6-3.

Dexter High School's tennis team got off to a disappointing start to the season at home Thursday, dropping a 6-3 decision to the Poplar Bluff Mules.

Dexter got singles wins from Ryan Windham in the No. 3 singles slot and Dusty Potter in the four position. The doubles team of Potter and Tyler Batchelor went to a tiebreaker before defeating the Mules' No. 3 doubles team of Navneet Hundal and Anderson Gilberto, 9-8 (7-4).

"This being our first match of the season, I saw some potential for our relatively young team," Dexter coach Dennis Keith said. "Ryan (Windham) defeated a tough opponent. He kept his composure and played through a couple of tough moments to prevail 8-5.

"This was the first varsity play for five of our players against a very experienced Poplar Bluff team," Keith added. "Dusty (Potter) was our lone returning varsity player and he played well to take his match 8-5.

" Just as I saw potential, there were obvious deficiencies in our play that we will have to work on to improve during the course of the season," he concluded.

Dexter's opening day lineup included one senior (Potter), two juniors (Patrick Turpin and Berry Burge) and three sophomores (Dylon Acevedo, Windham and Batchelor).

It was the first match for both teams this season.

In junior varsity play, Dexter dropped a 5-4 decision to the visiting Mules.

The Bearcats will next be in action Monday at home against the Charleston Bluejays. School will not be in session that day, but match time is still scheduled for 4 o'clock at the Dexter High School tennis courts.

Note: See complete match results under the Scoreboard on page 9 of the Daily Statesman.