In the regular-season finale, Branson defeated Joplin 8-1 in a boys tennis dual on Wednesday.
The match was held after the Central Ozark Conference tourney at the Joplin Athletic Complex courts.
This dual match was played after the COC tournament concluded today at the Joplin Athletic Complex. The contest was originally scheduled for Thursday, but was moved up due to the weather forecast.
“The guys had a long day of tennis, but they avoided being shut out by Branson with a strong performance at No. 3 doubles,” Joplin coach Aaron Stump said. “We had a much better showing than last year, when we only won six games.”
At No. 1 doubles, Branson’s Nathan Bartram and Jack Dawson defeated Adam Badr and Josiah Hazlewood 6-1.
At No. 2 doubles, Branson’s Benjamin Merrifield and Preston Volz beat Michael Mancipe-Hunter Merkley 6-1.
At No. 3 doubles, Joplin’s Leif Garrity and Oscar Kienzle defeated Benjamin Stark-Joshua Brown 6-4.
“Leif and Oscar were able to extend points and win longer rallies, which gave them the win,” Stump said.
The Pirates swept all six singles matches.
Bartram defeated Badr 8-3, Merrifield beat Hazlewood 8-1, Dawson topped Garrity 8-4, Volz beat Merkley 8-0, Stark defeated Kienzle 8-2 and Brown beat Roman Venturella 8-1.
POSTSEASON AWAITS
Joplin will compete at the individual district tournament on Saturday at Lee’s Summit North High School.
Seventh-seeded Joplin will take on second-seeded Lee’s Summit at 4 p.m. on Monday in the quarterfinals of the Class 3 District 6 team tournament at Lee’s Summit High School.
The winner advances to the semifinals on Tuesday, May 9.
In Monday’s other quarterfinal action, fifth-seeded Carthage meets fourth-seeded Lee’s Summit North and third-seeded Lee’s Summit West takes on sixth-seeded Raymore-Peculiar.
Top-seeded Rockhurst awaits the LSN-Carthage winner in the semifinals on May 9.
Note: See a related story on Wednesday’s Central Ozark Conference Tournament.
