The Republic tennis team won two of three doubles to set the tone, then controlled singles play to finish off a 7-2 win over Webb City at home Thursday. The Tigers dominated their two doubles wins in picking up their first dual victory of the season.
Coach David Smashey called the outcome “a well-deserved win for our guys. We won two of the three doubles, which really gave us a lot of confidence and momentum going into the singles.”
Gavin Collyott and Andrew McCord, playing at No. 2 doubles, won their match 8-2. Cooper Davis and Austin Hardcastle picked up the win at No. 3, 8-3. The only loss for Republic on the doubles side was in the No. 1 slot, where Garrett Carpenter and Cooper Choate lost their match, 8-1.
The Tigers proceeded to win five of six singles matches, led by Gavin Collyott in the No. 1 slot, 8-4.
“Gavin beat a really good Webb City player at No. 1 singles. I thought he put together a match where he not only hit the ball well, but played really smart and disciplined tennis, holding their player off when he made a push toward the end,” Smashey said.
Most of the singles matches were competitive throughout. Smashey said his players played well in tight situations, including Choate.
“Cooper Choate also played some of his best tennis when his match was in the balance. As always, he hit some tremendous shots, but in this match, he also won a bunch of key points by being patient and moving his opponent around,” Smashey said.
The JV team won 11-5.
Republic’s record is 1-2. The Tigers travel to Joplin to face the undefeated Eagles on April 9.
Match Scores
1 doubles L Carpenter/Choate 1-8
2 doubles W Collyott/McCord 8-2
3 doubles W Davis/Hardcastle 8-3
1 singles W Gavin Collyott 8-4
2 singles L Garrett Carpenter 6-8
3 singles W Cooper Davis 8-6
4 singles W Cooper Choate 8-5
5 singles W Austin Hardcastle 8-6
6 singles W Andrew McCord 8-6