Republic won the team title at the Republic Invitational Friday, putting players on the podium in all four flights. That depth, top to bottom of the lineup, has carried the Lady Tigers through a strong start to the season, and it showed again Friday with two flight championships, a second-place finish and a third.
Claire Norris and Abby Bremer won the No. 1 doubles flight, and freshman Elaina Antonuk won No. 1 singles, beating a senior in the championship match.
Aubree Tinsley and Leighton Riffe finished second in No. 2 doubles. Marlee Vasquez took third in No. 2 singles.
Norris, Bremer, Tinsley and Vasquez are all seniors, part of a big senior class that has made room for freshmen like Antonuk and Riffe.
“They are so nice. Everyone just loves us, and we love them so much. Everyone’s been super close,” Antonuk said of the seniors. “I’m gonna be so sad when everyone graduates next year. It’s been a great season.”
Antonuk said the No. 1 singles title was what she had been working toward since the season began. She said she wasn’t nervous going into the final against the senior, because she had a plan.
“I was just ready to play defense, be a backboard. It’s pretty fun,” she said. “I just decided to have the mindset I’m gonna play the best I can play. I didn’t know if I would win or not, so I decided to have a good attitude no matter what, and just try my hardest.”
Republic’s only loss this season came in a close dual against Kickapoo on the opening day of the season. The Lady Tigers haven’t lost as a team since.
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