Playing short-handed without two of its top three players, Republic dropped its first tennis meet of the year, 5-4 to Branson at home Monday evening. The Tigers lost two of the three doubles matches — both of them by the score of 8-6 — then fought back to win three of the first four singles matches before losing the final match of the night, 9-7.
One bright spot was Case Birlew, who joined Hunter Creek in the varsity lineup for the first time in the absence of Brad Hendrix and Gabe Bandfield. Birlew, who has only been playing tennis for about six weeks, won his #5 singles match 8-3 after falling behind 2-1.
“It’s kind of nerve-wracking at first. In my first doubles game, which we ended up losing 8-6, it’s kind of hard to step into that spot,” Birlew says. “It was nice to get a win in my singles match. It was me just out-working him, diving for balls, playing almost with a football mentality on a tennis court. I’m still learning mechanics, but to come out and show some athletic ability can still get you the win out here.”
Varsity singles
Micheal Nacy 8-1
Dylan Mackey 7-9
Austin Massey 8-5
Brett Carpenter 1-8
Case Birlew 8-3
Hunter Creek 4-8
Varsity doubles
Micheal N & Austin M v. Zach B & Christian M 8-0
Dylan M & Brett C v Matthew C & Luke S 6-8
Case B & Hunter C v Matt B & Caleb S 6-8
Junior Varsity (8-6)
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