OZARK, Mo. — A short-handed Joplin High School boys tennis team suffered an 8-1 loss at Ozark on Monday.
The Eagles played without Colin Vermillion and Josh Yarnall played doubles but was unable to compete in singles.
“We ended up having two junior varsity players fill in for us,” Joplin coach Aaron Stump said.
At No. 1 doubles, Ozark’s Gavin Reese-Major Cardin defeated Joplin’s Logan Merkley-Jeffrey Evenson 8-2, while Clinton Quirk-Nathaniel Bottarel edged Ben Wardlow-Yarnall 9-7 at No. 2 doubles.
“Ben and Josh started out with a lead in the match and were a game away from winning,” Stump noted.
Ozark’s Ethan Fast and Anthony Psarev nipped Joplin’s Michael Mancipe and Hunter Merkley 9-8 (8-6 tie-breaker) at No. 3 doubles.
“Michael and Hunter played well together and were one hit away from winning the tie-breaker,” Stump said.
Joplin’s lone win of the night came at No. 3 singles, as Wardlow defeated Quirk 8-6.
“Ben won a close match,” Stump commented. “He played smart and kept the ball in play on the close points.”
In other singles matches, Reese beat Logan Merkley 8-1, Cardin defeated Evenson 8-5 and Bottarel edged Mancipe 9-7.
“Michael traded serves with his opponent for most of the match, but had his serve broken at 6-6,” Stump commented. “He played up one rank since Josh Yarnall was unable to play singles.”
Also, Brady Goss defeated Hunter Merkley 8-2 and Fast defeated Joplin’s Caleb Cantero 8-0.
Joplin hosts Carl Junction at 4:30 on Tuesday.
