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BOYS TENNIS: Thomas Jefferson tops Joplin in ’23 opener

By:
SoMo Sports staff reports

In the 2023 opener for both schools, Thomas Jefferson defeated Joplin 9-0 on Tuesday in a boys tennis dual at the JHS courts. 

Despite the loss, Joplin coach Aaron Stump said he saw several positives from his squad.

“Our young group showed quite a bit of improvement compared to last year’s matchup against Thomas Jefferson,” Stump said. “In last year’s dual, we won a total of eight games in the match. We almost doubled that count year with 15 games won. We had three first-year players step up to play varsity today (Leif Garrity, Roman Venturella, and Oscar Kienzle), and these guys have shown a lot of potential. I’m excited to see where they’ll be once they gain a little more match experience.” 

Thomas Jefferson’s Prithvi Nagarajan hits a forehand during No. 1 doubles play against Joplin on Tuesday. Photo by Israel Perez.

At No. 1 doubles, Thomas Jefferson’s Prithvi Nagarajan and Devan Murali defeated Adam Badr and Josiah Hazlewood 8-0.

“Our No. 1 doubles team just started playing tennis last year, and they played some good points in today’s match,” Stump said.

At No. 2 doubles, Thomas Jefferson’s Chengle Qian and Jack Goodhue defeated Joplin’s Michael Mancipe and Roman Venturella 8-1.

“Roman filled in for senior Hunter Merkley during today’s match, so he and Michael hadn’t played together before today,” Stump noted.

Thomas Jefferson’s duo of Sam Li and Nathaniel Curtis edged Leif Garrity and Chapel Braman 8-6 in the No. 3 doubles match.

“This new doubles team started out behind but was able to keep pace after the first few games,” Stump said. 

At No. 1 singles, Thomas Jefferson’s Nagarajan beat Badr 8-0. Nagarajan is a returning state qualifier for Tom Brumfield’s Cavaliers.

Murali defeated Hazlewood 8-0 at No. 2 singles before Qian beat Garrity 8-3 at No. 3 singles and Goodhue topped Braman 8-1 at No. 4 singles.

“Josiah, Leif and Chapel all moved up in rank to fill in for Michael Mancipe, who is our No. 2 singles player,” Stump noted.

TJ’s Li defeated Venturella 8-0 at No. 5 singles and Curtis topped Oscar Kienzle 8-4 at No. 6 singles.

Stump noted both Venturella and Kienzle played up in rank due to Merkley’s absence. 

Thomas Jefferson takes on Carl Junction at 4:30 on Wednesday at the Joplin Athletic Complex.

Joplin is at Neosho next Tuesday.

 

Joplin’s Adam Badr is pictured during Tuesday’s match with Thomas Jefferson. The Cavaliers defeated the Eagles 9-0 in the opener of the 2023 season. Photos by Israel Perez.

 

Joplin’s Josiah Hazlewood attempts to return a serve during his match against Thomas Jefferson on Tuesday at the JHS courts. The Cavaliers beat the Eagles 9-0.

 

Thomas Jefferson’s Devan Murali lunges for a backhand during Tuesday’s match with Joplin at the JHS courts. All photos by Israel Perez/SoMo Sports.

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