Instead of trying to hit a winner on every shot, the Tiger tennis wanted their players to show more patience. That patience paid off with a dominating 9-0 win over Webb City at home Friday night. Republic didn’t lose more than two games in any match all night.
The Cardinals, like Republic, are in rebuilding mode after graduating several key seniors off last year’s squad.
“I was proud of how our guys played more patient today and cut down on our unforced errors,” says coach Dan Vales. “The Bolivar match was kind of a wake-up call, because we faced some competition that was a little bit higher. We’re going to have to work hard every night to get a win against the tougher squads, but we’re definitely competitive.
“People had circled that once we lost all those seniors, this year was going to be terrible for us. Well, it’s not going to be. We’re a good team, too, so we’re going to be very competitive in conference and districts.”
Because Webb City didn’t have enough JV players, Republic played an intrasquad JV tournament to build competitive experience among its younger players. That developing squad is exciting for Vales as he looks to the future.
“The other thing that’s exciting is all the depth that we’re building behind,” Vales says. “There’s a freight train of guys waiting for their spot, and they’re competitors.”
Republic improves to 2-1 in dual play. They travel to Branson for a Central Ozark Conference matchup Friday.
“This was a good warm-up,” Vales says. “We will have to play our best Monday to have a shot at pulling that one out.”
Varsity singles
Case Birlew d. Brayden Hardee 8-1
Dylan Mackey d. Cameron Weaver 8-1
Logan Elder d. Jeffrey Gossett 8-1
Hunter Creek d. Tyceon inskeep 8-1
Austin Massey d. Josh Farrar 8- 2
Isaac Jordan d. Isaiah Gayman 8-0
Varsity Doubles
Birlew/ Creek d. Hardee/Weaver 8-2
Mackey/Elder d. Gossett/Farrar 8-1
Massey/Jordan d. Inskeep/Gayman 8-2
