For a team in the middle of a major rebuilding season, the Republic tennis team is having a lot of success. The Tigers knocked off Joplin 8-1 on Senior Night Thursday, and that victory came a day after the Tigers beat Glendale 8-1. That was the biggest margin of victory ever for Republic against the Falcons, a perennial power in the area.
The two wins allowed the varsity team to rebound from a lopsided loss, 9-0, against Willard earlier in the week. But the week has been even better for the junior varsity squad, which has put together a historic run.
After a 15-4 win against Willard, the JV team swept through the Lebanon Tournament, winning 36 matches without a loss. The team has set a new program record, with the JV winning 45 individual matches in a row, counting the four team matches at the Lebanon Tournament and the Joplin team match.