The Republic tennis team beat everyone the schedule threw at it — except Joplin. The Eagles ended Republic’s season in the team district championship Wednesday with a 5-1 win. It was just the second loss of the year for Republic, which ends its team season at 15-2, with both losses coming to Joplin.
The turning point Wednesday was the #2 doubles match. Asa Borup and Nicholas Mailes beat Hunter Creek and Brett Carpenter 8-4 to swing momentum to the Eagles and set them up for the win heading into singles play.
Joplin’s top three players won handily to close out the match. The other three singles matches were called at the time Joplin clinched, but all three were competitive. Brett Carpenter and his opponent had split the first two sets, Austin Massey was tied 3-3 in the opening set, and Logan Elder was up a set when play was called.
The 15-2 finish for Republic is the second best ever for Republic. In 2016, the Tigers finished 16-2. In the last five seasons, the Tigers have won two district titles and finished second twice.
Individual districts are Thursday at Joplin.
