The Thomas Jefferson Cavaliers continue to dominate on the tennis courts.
Top-seeded Thomas Jefferson defeated second-seeded Webb City 5-0 in the championship match of the Class 2 District 7 team tournament on Wednesday at the TJ courts.
“We took care of business,” Thomas Jefferson coach Tom Brumfield said. “All the guys went out and did what they were supposed to do. We set the tone in doubles. And when you do that, it makes everything a lot easier.”
Wednesday’s victory advanced the undefeated Cavaliers into the quarterfinal round of the Class 2 state tournament.
“We’re excited about moving on,” Brumfield said. “We’ve got a well-balanced team. Our depth is good. And depth is what you really need to make a run at state.”
It’s the third straight district team title for the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers started Wednesday’s dual on a positive note by sweeping all three doubles matches.
At No. 1 doubles, Noah Hamlett and Tyler Brouhard defeated Webb City’s Trenton Hayes and Cale Stephens 8-0.
Ian Ding and Hari Nagarajan beat Jackson Dill-Drake Miller 8-2 at No. 2 doubles and Prithvi Nagarajan and Lele Qian defeated Caiden Johnson-Tyler Wade 8-0 at No. 3.
The dual ended after the Cavs recorded two wins in singles play.
Ding defeated Hayes 6-0, 6-0 and Brouhard beat Dill 6-0, 6-1. The other singles matches were not completed.
Of course, the Cavaliers previously competed in Class 1, but TJ was bumped up to Class 2 this season due to MSHSAA’s non-public school “championship factor” based on a program’s past success.
The move up to Class 2 hasn’t really impacted the Cavs yet.
The Cavaliers are now 13-0 in dual matches. Thomas Jefferson has outscored its opponents 107-2 in those duals.
“Everyone is playing well for us,” Brumfield said. “They’ve gained some confidence by playing some bigger schools. I think that’s definitely helped with their confidence.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Thomas Jefferson will host either Kearney or Platte County on Monday in a quarterfinal matchup of the Class 2 state team tournament.
A win next Monday would put the Cavs in the semifinals on May 28.
Also, three members of the Cavaliers (Ding in singles and Hamlett-Brouhard in doubles) will compete at next Thursday and Friday’s individual state singles and doubles tournament in Springfield.
Webb City’s Hayes and Stephens have also qualified for the individual state tourney in doubles.
