Republic won all three doubles matches — including a comeback win for Case Birlew and Hunter Creek — and cruised to a district semifinal win over Neosho at home Tuesday, 5-0.
The day started smoothly for Republic’s #2 and #3 doubles teams. Dylan Mackey and Brett Carpenter won their match against Van Cope and Christian Bynum 8-3. Austin Massey and Logan Elder won by the same score against Ian Cooley and Spencer Vansickle. But Creek and Birlew trailed 5-4 in their #1 doubles match, until they won three straight games to pick up the victory and complete the doubles sweep.
When Mackey and Massey won their singles matches, it clinched the victory for Republic and play ended.
Republic advances to the Class 2 District 11 championship at Nixa Wednesday. The Tigers and Eagles will square off beginning at 4 pm. The Eagles edged Republic 5-4 in a match at Nixa during the regular season.
