The Lady Tiger tennis team went 1-3 in its season-opening tournament at Springfield Kickapoo. The tournament featured some of the most consistently strong tennis programs in the area, including Springfield Catholic, Kickapoo, and Springfield Central.
The Lady Tigers lost 5-0 to Catholic in a match that included two close doubles losses. Elsie Crawford and Jasmine Howard paired up for the first time at #1 doubles, losing 5-7. At #2 doubles, Sedalia Shumaker and Abby McCord lost 6-4. Morgan Lewis and Anna Davidson played in their first varsity match (#3 doubles) and lost 6-1.
In the second round, Springfield Central topped Republic 5-4. Crawford and Howard won their doubles match 7-5. Crawford, Shumaker, and Morgan won their singles matches. In the deciding match, Davidson came back from a 4-1 deficit to force a tiebreaker before falling 7-4.
After a 5-0 loss to Kickapoo, Republic rebounded with a 5-0 win over Ozark to finish the day. “I was pleased with the effort of the girls,” said coach Dan Vales. “We got to try out several doubles combinations and gained singles match experience. Some of the girls played eight matches in one day. It was great to finish strong with a 5-0 win over Ozark.”
Republic celebrates Senior Night tonight at home, starting at 4 pm.