Oxford tops crosstown rival Lafayette on the tennis courts
Published 10:12 pm Wednesday, March 7, 2018
- Oxford High's Bo Nash plays against Lafayette High at the John Leslie Tennis Courts in Oxford, Miss. on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. (Bruce Newman, Oxford Eagle via AP)
The crosstown rivalry between Lafayette and Oxford took over the tennis courts on Wednesday afternoon. The 10-time state champions flexed their muscle with a 6-1 win over the rival Commodores at the John Leslie Tennis Courts.
The singles powerhouse duo of Bo Nash and Grace Anne Jones defeated their competition in straight sets. Nash took a 6-0, 6-0 win over Lafayette’s Dawson Welch and Jones defeated defending 4A singles champion Ally Bowen 6-1, 6-2 in the girls’ singles.
“Nice match on a cold, unpleasant day,” Oxford coach Louis Nash said. “Did some good things on a lot of courts. The kids are making progress and that’s all a coach can ask.”
Oxford (6-0) continued it’s dominance in boys’ doubles as the teams of Ryan Mounce and Eli Abel and Dawning Koestler and Edward Hu each won their matches in straight sets (6-0, 6-0).
Lafayette (2-2) picked up its lone win of the day, splitting the girls’ doubles matches. Emma Wilson and Halle Moore defeated Oxford’s Addie Grafton and Abby Mounce in straight sets (6-3, 7-5). Emmie Stevens and Sarah Ann Ratliffe defeated Lafayette’s Lucy Wilson and Sara Moore in straight sets (7-5, 6-3).
“We competed today against a great Oxford team,” Lafayette coach Debbie Swindoll said. “We are improving and looking to make a run in (Class) 5A this year.”
Savannah Nagle and Mack Schusselin defeated the Commodore team of Colby Knight and Lilly McElreath in straight sets (6-1, 6-0) to claim the mixed doubles point.
Oxford travels to the Sunshine State this weekend with a pair of matches in Pensacola, Florida while Lafayette takes an extended Spring Break. They will host West Point on March 19 to open region play.