Nixa topped Republic 5-1 in the district championship match Wednesday, ending Republic’s season and advancing to the state quarterfinals.
Republic’s only win of the night belonged to the No. 2 doubles team of Abigail Bremer and Claire Norris, who won in a tiebreaker, 9-8 (7-5).
Despite the district loss, Republic ended the season on a roll, winning nine of its last nine duals. Both of those losses were to Nixa, which rolls into the quarterfinals with a 15-1 record.
“Probably of all the groups I’ve had, this may be the most improvement I’ve seen as the season went on,” said coach Dan Vales. “They just really grew as players—all the physical toughness, but also the emotional toughness on the court. I’m just really proud of all the girls.
“Our goal every season is to come in and just max out what we can do, and I feel like we maxed out really what we could get this season, so I’m really proud of them.”
Six of Republic’s seven players today are eligible to return for another season. The only senior in the lineup was Mati Carpenter, who will participate with Aubree Tinsley in the state doubles tournament later this month.
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