Los defeated in 6A tennis finals

Siloam Springs boys singles tennis player Orest Los advanced to the Class 6A state boys tennis championship Tuesday where he was defeated 6-3, 6-1 by West Memphis’ Carlson Bennage at Burns Park in North Little Rock.

Los was the second Siloam Springs boys singles player to reach the finals in the last three years. He finished the season with a record of 16-6 and 56-14 for his career.

“Orest has had a terrific year,” said Siloam Springs head coach Scott Wright. “Winning the conference championship and being the 6A state runner-up, he has a lot to be proud of. He has had a great career and still gets to compete in the state overall championship. I’m very proud of him.”

Los, the 6A-West Conference champion and No. 1 seed, received a first-round bye before facing Billy Beck in the quarterfinals on Monday. He defeated Beck 6-4, 6-4 to move into Tuesday’s semifinals where he defeated Jonesboro’s Eric Richardson 6-4, 4-6, 7-5. Bennage defeated Greenwood’s David “Woody” Woodring in the other semifinal. Los defeated Woodring to win the 6A-West title last week.

In girls’ doubles’ action, Siloam Springs seniors Caroline Dinger and Averie Headrick were defeated by Searcy’s team of Margaret Lim and Alex Ann Threlkeld 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 on Monday in the opening round. Dinger and Headrick were the first Siloam Springs girls players to advance to the state tournament since 2013. They finished the season with a record of 9-10.