The Joplin High School boys tennis team’s roster has doubled overall in total numbers, and they return five players with varsity experience from last season in sophomore Adam Badr, junior Chapel Braman, sophomore Josiah Hazlewood, senior Michael Mancipe and senior Hunter Markley.
“Our primary goals for the season are to continue to develop players and improve our record from last year,” Joplin coach Aaron Stump said. “Our strength is in the improved athleticism and mindset of the team. We have clear leaders and guys who will make the season exciting. Our weakness is in experience. Of the 27 players on our roster, we have only three seniors. The majority of our group is either a freshman or a sophomore. A continued growth mindset, where the players reflect on matches and work on to improve in areas of weakness, will help us be more successful this year.”
Joplin finished 2-9 overall and 2-7 in the Central Ozark Conference last season, and the Eagles’ season ended with a 5-0 loss against Lee’s Summit West in Class 3 District 6.
The Eagles are 4-19 overall their past two seasons since they were 18-5 and fourth place in Class 2 in 2019 and 21-1 and district champions in 2018.
Joplin won district titles in five seasons, three straight from 2012-14 and back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.
“The atmosphere has improved significantly,” Stump said. “The energy and excitement remind me of the team we had in 2016-17, which developed into conference champions in subsequent school years.
“Adam Badr has taken on the role of captain and frequently works to develop newer players. We have quite a few guys to watch for this season. We’ve had some surprises in our challenge matches already, and I anticipate a few more before our season begins. With this many new players all developing skills, improved serves or groundstrokes can change the outcome of many of our challenge matches.”
Freshman Nicolas Brady, senior Jaxson Cloud, sophomore Leif Garrity, sophomore Jordan Goins, freshman Gavin Goodman, sophomore Parker Hinman, sophomore Connor Intessimone, sophomore Samuel Ipock, sophomore Griffan Keller, sophomore Oscar Kienzle, sophomore Elijah Knight, freshman Grady Obermiller, freshman Dylan Rodriguez, sophomore Cade Sinclair, sophomore Gideon Speer, sophomore Roman Venturella, sophomore Jaydon Walton, freshman Landon White, freshman Zekir Ajruloski, freshman Kye Adams, freshman Cooper Burrow and freshman Fletcher Ledford complete Joplin’s 27-player roster.
The Eagles open their season March 28 against Thomas Jefferson, they have duals at home against Nixa (April 6), Willard (April 20), and Carl Junction (May 2) and on the road against Neosho (April 4), Republic (April 11), Ozark (April 13), Webb City (April 25), and Branson (April 27) before competition in conference, district, and possibly state.
Joplin also plays in the Branson Doubles Classic (April 7) and the Truman Tournament (April 15) and hosts the Joplin Invitational (April 21). Neosho hosts the conference tournament May 3 at the Joplin Athletic Complex.
