Coming off their best season ever, and with five of six varsity players returning, it’s been a long wait for the start of the season for Tiger tennis.
Michael Nacy and Company made sure the wait was worth it.
Republic dominated Carthage on the road Monday in a 9-0 victory to open the year. The Tigers lost just 13 games total in nine varsity sets.
Nacy, the senior leader at the top of the lineup, didn’t lose a game in singles or doubles. He swept Austin Ward 8-0 in singles, then teamed with Austin Massey to shut out Ward and Thomas Neuenswander in doubles.
Brad Hendrix, who would be playing at the top of most lineups in southwest Missouri, won his singles match 8-2. He and Brett Carpenter teamed for an 8-1 win in doubles.
Senior Gabe Bandfield blew past his singles opponent, Damon Teel, 8-1. He and Dylan Mackey won their doubles match 8-2.
In the JV matches, new players Case Birlew, Hunter Creek, Andrew Mackey, Seth Meyer, Cameron Doke, Tyler Ghan, and Wesley Zane picked up their first wins.
“It’s nice to finally get the season started, and winning like that is the best start we could have asked for,” says Nacy. “Everyone on varsity went in and took care of business, and the JV guys played exceptionally well against some of Carthage’s varsity players. Everyone’s been working their butt off and it’s starting to show in the matches.”
Republic returns to action Wednesday at the Mt. Vernon Tournament.
Results:
Republic player and score first
Varsity singles
Michael Nacy v. Austin Ward 8-0
Bradley Hendrix v. Thomas Neuenswander 8-2
Gabe Bandfield v. Damon Teel 8-1
Dylan Mackey v. Royce Worley 8-3
Austin Massey v. Jose Castaneda 8-2
Brett Carpenter v. Gabriel Hook 8-2
Varsity Doubles
Nacy/Massey v. Ward/Neuenswander 8-0
Hendrix/Carpenter v. Teel/Castaneda 8-1
Bandfield/Mackey v. Worley/Chris Roberts 8-2
