After losing 5-4 decisions to Bolivar in each of the past two seasons, the tennis Tigers had Monday’s home opener against the Liberators circled on the calendar — and they played like it. Republic swept all three doubles matches and dominated singles, as well, on the way to an 8-1 victory. It’s the first time the Tigers have beaten the Liberators in boys tennis.
“It was definitely a match we were looking to win,” says senior Gabe Bandfield. “They’ve been rivals with us. Each year, we’ve been kind of at the same level, so it was a really big match for us to look forward to winning. It feels pretty good.”
Republic’s fast start in doubles was aided by a strategic decision to split its three varsity seniors into three different teams.
“We thought about having a senior leader on each of our doubles lines, and having a really strong guy at (flights) 1, 2, and 3,” says coach Dan Vales. The move paid off with a doubles sweep. Republic hasn’t lost a varsity doubles match all year.
“It gets you off to a good start. It puts pressure on them,” says Vales. “If you can get up 3-0, that’s a pretty big hole against most teams to dig out of, especially since we’ve got such a strong player at the top of our singes lineup.”
The newcomer to the varsity lineup — Brett Carpenter — has also started the season strong, according to Vales.
“Brett’s really coming on at #6 singles, too. I think he’s going to be a big closer for us at that spot,” Vales says.
Austin Massey had a comeback win in singles, trailing 5-1 before winning seven games in a row to take his match.
Republic improves to 5-0. Full results are below.
Varsity Singles
Michael Nacy v. William Roberts 8-3
Bradley Hendrix v. Kaden Katzer 8-3
Gabe Bandfield v. William Vanhoornbeek 2-8
Dylan Mackey v. Corey Spindler 8-5
Austin Massey v. Chris Holt 8-5
Brett Carpenter v. Josh Waddelow 8-2
Varsity Doubles
Nacy / Massey v. Roberts / Katzer 8-2
Hendrix / Carpenter v. Vanhoornbeek/ Spindler 8-6
Bandfield / Mackey v. Holt / Waddelow 8-3
Republic JV defeated. Bolivar 18-7
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