The Lady Tigers tennis team is the district champion for a second straight year. Less than a week after dominating the individual district tournament by qualifying five players for state, Republic whipped Webb City 5-0 to capture the district team title, as well. The Lady Tigers jumped on the Cardinals early by winning all three doubles matches, then quickly won two singles matches to top off the night.
The closest match of the night – despite a lopsided final of 8-2 – was the match between Elsie Crawford and Jasmine Howard of Republic and Rachel Drum and Kirsalyn Hood of Webb City. With Webb City leading 1-0, the second game of that match featured seven deuces before Crawford and Howard tied the score.
“I am extremely proud of the effort by our girls to beat a solid Webb City tennis team,” said coach Dan Vales. “Our #1 doubles (team) … showed a lot of grit, bringing it back to deuce over and over in the second game, so that they would not fall behind early, 2-0.”
Sedalia Shumaker and Mia Stan were the first to finish off their singles opponents to clinch the championship. Morgan Lewis was up a set and led 4-2 in the second when play ended.
“We hope to carry that positive energy (and) fight into next week, as we face some big matches,” Vales said.
Republic is scheduled to play the team sectionals at home against Springfield Glendale Monday. Matches start at 4 pm.
Doubles
1. Crawford/Howard d. Drum/Hood 8-2
2. Shumaker/Lewis d. Smith/Heffren 8-1
3. McCord/Cook d. Yockey/Esminger 8-2
Singles
1. Elsie Crawford v. Rachel Drum- no score
2. Jasmine Howard lead Kinzlea Smith- 1-0
3. Abby McCord v. Kirsalyn Hood- no score
4. Sedalia Shumaker d. Danecca Heffren 6-1, 6-0
5. Morgan Lewis lead Taylor Yockey 6-3, 4-2
6. Mia Stan d. Shelby Esminger 6-1, 6-2