Republic lost two of three doubles matches en route to a 6-3 home loss to Carthage Thursday. Doubles play, typically a strength, put Republic in a 2-1 hole before singles play began. Caleb Long and Cooper Choate picked up the long doubles win, 8-6.
In singles play, Carthage swept the top three matches. Gavin Collyott won 8-5 at the #4 slot, and Caleb Long captured an 8-1 win at #5.
“I thought Caleb Long played great start to finish in both singles and doubles,” said coach David Smashey. “It’s great to see a player like him to continue to develop. A year ago, he was kind of shocked and impressed when he hit a good shot. Now it’s just expected and who he is…as a player.”
Republic has what Smashey calls its “toughest week of the season” coming up with the Bolivar Tournament, the Waynesville Tournament, and matches against Branson, Glendale, and Carl Junction.
The JV team won 13 of 16 matches.
Scores
Doubles
Carpenter/Cole 6-8
Elder/Collyott 4-8
Long/Choate 8-6
Singles
Carpenter 3-8
Elder 5-8
Cole 3-8
Collyott 8-5
Long 8-1
Davis 8-9 (4-7)