Republic tennis grabbed its first win in Central Ozark Conference play with an 8-1 win over Webb City on the road. The Tigers opened the night with three doubles wins, then went 5-1 in the singles matches.
At #1 doubles, Garrett Carpenter and Jon Cole hung on to win in a tie-breaker, 9-8 (8-6). Chase Elder and Gavin Collyott swept their doubles match 8-0, and Caleb Long and Cooper Choate were 8-4 winners.
“Good doubles set the tone. (It’s a) solid win, but we still have a ways to go to be the team we could be,” said coach David Smashey.
In singles play, Webb City’s Jacob McDonald knocked off Carpenter in the #1 slot, but that was the only win of the night for the Cardinals. Elder, Cole, Collyott, Long, and Cooper Davis were all winners.
Republic won all nine JV matches, highlighted by a win by freshman Shane Lile, who came from behind as both players from teams watched in the last match of the night.
Republic had opened its COC schedule earlier in the week at Willard, but play was suspended with the score tied 4-4 and the final match tied. That match will be resumed to determine the outcome next week at Bolivar, where both Willard and Republic will be attending the Bolivar Tournament.
Scores
Doubles
Garrett Carpenter/Jon Cole W 9-8 (8-6)
Chase Elder/Gavin Collyott W 8-0
Caleb Long/Cooper Choate W 8-4
Singles
Carpenter L 3-8
Elder W 8-1
Cole W 8-3
Collyott W 8-3
Long W 8-3
Cooper Davis W 8-3