Joplin High School boys tennis coach Aaron Stump focused on the positives after his Eagles suffered an 8-1 loss to Willard on Thursday in Central Ozark Conference action.
“This is the best we’ve played against Willard since our state team in 2019,” Stump said. “Last year, we won six games total and did not win a match. This year, we won 27 games and a match. I see the talent forming in our group, and having closer matches against a team as strong as Willard is promising.”
Joplin’s No. 3 doubles team of Leif Garrity and Roman Venturella defeated Gabriel Hernandez-Christian Ryan 9-8 (7-5).
“Leif and Roman hit their stride early in the match,” Stump said. “They placed the ball well and were up all the way up to the tie-break set. Their consistency won it for them.”
At No. 1 doubles, Willard’s Caden Lingenfelser-Brigham Thedell edged Joplin’s Adam Badr-Josiah Hazlewood 9-7.
“Adam and Josiah had a great match,” Stump said. “Caden won conference last year as a junior and has a monster serve. Adam and Josiah were able to get some good returns and kept the match close.”
At No. 2 doubles, Willard’s Dawson Amstutz-Seth Miller defeated Michael Mancipe-Hunter Merkley 8-0.
In singles, Willard’s Lingenfelser beat Badr 8-1, Amstutz topped Hazlewood 8-0, Miller beat Garrity 8-2, Thedell defeated Merkley 8-2, Hernandez handled Venturella 8-0 and Ryan edged Chapel Braman 8-6.
“Chapel played one of his best varsity matches today,” Stump said. “He positioned the ball well and kept the points going.”
The Eagles host the Joplin Invitational on Friday at the JHS courts, with the action slated to begin at 9 a.m.
