The Carthage Tigers defeated the Joplin Eagles 7-2 in a Central Ozark Conference boys tennis dual on Tuesday at the JHS Athletic Complex.
“The team has improved since last year’s match against Carthage, a team with a depth of four seniors on their varsity squad,” Joplin coach Aaron Stump said. “We won two matches, compared to none in last season’s dual. We also had some longer, more competitive matches with more games won.”
At No. 1 doubles, Joplin’s Adam Badr and Josiah Hazlewood defeated Charles Snow and Joshua Rivera 8-4.
“Adam and Josiah played well and communicated effectively,” Stump said. “They set up points with good serves and had a strong showing.”
Carthage’s Silas Laytham and Danilo Lopez-Gramajo beat Michael Mancipe-Roman Venturella 8-1 at No. 2 doubles, while William Wallace and Eli Scott defeated Joplin’s Leif Garrity-Hunter Merkley 8-1 at No. 3 doubles.
At No. 1 singles, Carthage’s Snow defeated Badr 8-5, while Laytham topped Hazlewood 8-2 at No. 2 singles.
Joplin’s Garrity defeated Rivera 8-3 at No. 3 singles.
“Leif did a great job placing the ball when he needed to close out points, and he had consistent play throughout the match,” Stump said.
Carthage won the final three singles matches, as Lopez-Gramajo defeated Merkley 8-4, Wallace beat Venturella 8-2 and Scott topped Chapel Braman 8-3.
Joplin hosts Willard on Thursday. Carthage hosts Neosho next Tuesday.
