The best team tennis season in Republic history came to a close Saturday in a state sectional loss to perennial tennis power Columbia Rock Bridge, 5-0. The Bruins, who feature a lineup full of players with USTA tournament circuit experience, overpowered Republic in all three doubles matches, then swept to quick victories in two singles matches to clinch a berth in the quarterfinals.
“Going into this match, we knew Rock Bridge would be by far the best team we have seen all year. Nevertheless, it was still impressive to see their depth at 1-6, with really strong players throughout,” says coach Dan Vales. “My hope is a positive takeaway we can have from this match is to see that next level of play that we aspire to reach as a team some day.”
The loss ends the team season for the Tigers — by all measures, the most successful in program history. This Tiger team was the first to win the Central Ozark Conference and the first to win its district. The team set records for individual wins in seven of the nine singles and doubles lineup spots. The only regular-season loss came on a day when two key players were out of the lineup.
Despite the team loss, the season will continue for seniors Brad Hendrix and Michael Nacy. Hendrix and Nacy qualified for state as a doubles team in the individual tournament bracket. The defeat ends the Republic career of Gabe Bandfield, who was one of three senior starters who contributed to the program’s growth.
“Going into next year, it will be a rebuilding year for us losing our top 3 players to graduation. The good news is we have developed depth with a strong JV that will help fill newly open lineup spots next season,” Vales says. “We will probably have around 12-14 guys back next year that will be out competing for those spots, along with incoming freshman. My hope is these guys rise to the challenge this summer and work on their games to keep going our tradition of success that the out-going senior class has established Coach Hanson and I will be ready to take on the challenge.”
Doubles:
1. Kamran Farid/Jake Frauerfelder (RB) d. Michael Nacy/Bradley Hendrix 8-0
2. Brian Bakers/Zach Grueber (RB) d. Gabe Bandfield/Case Birlew 8-0
3. Kavin Anand/Luke Bouchard (RB) d. Dylan Mackey/Austin Massey 8-0
Singles:
1. Michael Nacy v. Kamran Raird 2-4
2. Bradley Hendrix v. Jake Frauerfelder 0-6, 0-1
3. Gabe Bandfield v. Brian Baker 0-6, 0-5
4. Zach Grueber (RB) d. Dylan Mackey 6-0, 6-0
5. Kavin Anand (RB) d. Austin Massey 6-0, 6-0
6. Case Birlew v. Ashwan Elangovan 0-6, 0-1