The Tiger tennis team waited a long time to win a central Ozark conference championship. When they finally did it, they did it in style.
The Tigers put on a dominant display from top to bottom in Branson Wednesday, winning five of the six singles flights and two of the three doubles flights, on the way to their first-ever team COC title.
For the second year in a row, Michael Nacy proved himself as the best player in the league, becoming back-to-back COC singles champion. Brad Hendrix was champion of the #2 flight. Gabe Bandfield won at #3.
“No one really expected us to come out here and dominate like we did today,” says coach Dan Vales. “That was really special to be able to win five out of six singles flights. It’s just a dream come true.
“I was just hoping to be competitive in some of those flights, and guys just came out ready to play. They were supporting each other. It was just a team effort.”
Vales says the conference victory, coming as decisively as it did, is a statement about the direction of the tennis program.
“It’s a statement that we have a tradition we’re building here. It’s a place you can play at and have success,” Vales says. “Even if we’re losing these top three senior guys, we’re bringing in more athletes, more guys who are interested in playing tennis and who want to be part of that.”
Republic begins district play next week.