For the past several seasons, Republic tennis coaches Dan Vales and David Smashey have cultivated a deep roster that dominates at the JV level. With several players quarantined this week, that depth asserted itself in the Lady Tigers’ conference opener at Neosho. Republic didn’t just squeak by the Wildcats, but dominated in a 9-0 win.
Izzy Wells, Ashlyn Leonard, Taylor Massey, Caydie Imbeau, Mari Davidson, and Grace Replogle all stepped up to win their singles matches – most of them in their first time competing at the varsity level. Only Wells had played at the varsity level before Tuesday.
Wells (#1), Leonard (#2), Massey (#3), and Replogle (#6) won their matches without dropping a single game. In doubles, Leonard and Massey teamed up to sweep their match in eight games, as well.
The remaining JV players won all their matches, too. Of 102 individual games played across all matches, Republic won 96 of them.
Monday, Republic had won the Republic/Nixa JV challenge 13-12. A rainout cut the challenge short prematurely.
The Lady Tigers will face a tougher varsity challenge against an improved Carl Junction squad later this week. They’ll play at Missouri Southern in Joplin, starting at 4 pm.
Singles:
1. Izzy Wells d. Claudia Martensen 8-0
2. Ashlyn Leonard d. Jasmine Martinez 8-0
3. Taylor Massey d. Alexandra Olsbo 8-0
4. Caydie Imbeau d. Lyndsey Doke 8-3
5. Mari Davidson d. Cadence Martensen 8-0
6. Grace Replogle d. Sydnee Minton 8-0
Doubles:
1. Wells/Imbeau d. Martensen/Martinez 8-1
2. Ashlyn Leonard/Taylor Massey d. Olsbo/Doke 8-0
3. Davidson/Henry d. Martensen/Minton 8-0