Four weeks ago, Brett Carpenter played in his first varsity tennis match, which the Tigers lost 5-4 at Nixa. Wednesday night, he was on the same court against the same team, with a much better result. Carpenter clinched a district championship for Republic with a victory in his singles match, lifting Republic to a 5-3 win and its second straight district title.
Carpenter’s move into the varsity lineup during the second half of the season coincided with a shakeup by the coaching staff, after Republic lost badly at Branson in the middle of the year. It culminated in two big post-season successes.
“This was a complete surprise for us. About a month ago was a low for us, losing 1-8 to Branson,” says coach Dan Vales. “Our kids showed a lot of fight in practice. That started with all the challenges we did, and we got our kids playing better tennis. It culminated with a COC championship and a district championship. Both are equally sweet.
“I’m really proud of these guys. They did it. You have guys like Austin , who beat a guy he’s never beaten before. They really stepped up today to pull it home.”
Republic had to come from behind after losing two of three singles matches. After doubles, the match was playing out exactly as it did the first time the two teams met: Republic won the #1 doubles match, but Nixa grabbed the other two.
As singles began, Republic needed to win its expected matches and get at least one upset. It got even more than that.
Case Birlew dispatched Boyd Briggs in straight sets (6-4, 7-5), and Hunter Creek won his match 6-3, 6-2. Dylan Mackey lost his singles match in straight sets, including a second-set tiebreaker. But Austin Massey’s win over Benjanmin Boyd (6-2, 6-4) was the first break in Republic’s favor. It meant Republic needed to win just one of the remaining two matches, and Carpenter delivered the clincher, 6-0, 5-7, 6-4. (Logan Elder was leading his match at the time play ended, as well.)
“It feels pretty good,” Carpenter says of his district-clinching win, made even sweeter by the fact that he was on the JV squad a month ago. “At the beginning, I moved my way from #8 to #4. I worked and worked and worked, and it paid off, so it’s defnitely worth it.”
Carpenter says he managed his nerves in the final set, especially after getting the opportunity to serve out the match, leading 5-4.
“I was a little worried at first, then I thought to myself, ‘I have to do this.” Once I got it, it felt pretty good.”
Republic’s team district title is even more notable because the Tigers lost their top three varsity performers to graduation from last year’s championship team. They’ll be back in action Thursday for individual districts, which will be held at Republic.
Doubles Scores
- (R) Case Birlew/Hunter Creek (R) d. (N) Boyd Briggs/Caleb Case 8-6
- (N) Tanner Powley/Benjamin Boyd d. (R) Dylan Mackey/Brett Carpenter 8-3
- (N) Todd Jones/Jose Alcantara d. (R )Austin Massey/Logan Elder 8-6
Singles
- (R) Case Birlew d. (N) Boyd Briggs 6-4, 7-5
- (N) Tanner Powley d. (R) Dylan Mackey 6-1, 7-6 (7-1)
- (R) Hunter Creek d. (N) Caleb Case 6-3, 6-2
- (R) Brett Carpenter d. (N) Todd Jones 6-0, 5-7, 6-4
- (R) Austin Massey d. (N) Benjamin Boyd 6-2, 6-4
- (R) Logan Elder lead (N) Jose Alcantara 7-5, 4-6, 3-0 (suspended)
Notes:
-45 minute lightning delay during singles play.
-Overall dual came down to the final two matches. Republic’s Brett Carpenter clinched the team championship with his win at #4 singles.
-Republic is back to back team district boys tennis champions
