By winning five of six singles matches and two of three doubles contests, Webb City’s boys tennis team earned a 7-2 win over Joplin on a windy day at Millennium Family Fitness.
“Much like us, Webb City has a lot of seniors,” Joplin coach Aaron Stump said. “The matches were close, but Webb City played well and was able to secure the win.”
Webb City won two of three doubles matches to start the dual.
At No. 1 doubles, Webb City’s Trenton Hayes and Cale Stephens defeated Joplin’s Logan Merkley and Jeffrey Evenson 8-2.
Webb City’s Jackson Dill and Drake Miller beat Ben Wardlow and Colin Vermillion 8-3 at No. 2 doubles.
Joplin’s Josh Yarnall and Michael Mancipe defeated Caiden Johnson and Tyler Wade 8-5 at No. 3 doubles.
“Josh and Michael consistently kept the ball in play, which helped them win longer rallies and eventually the match,” Stump commented.
At No. 1 singles, Webb City’s Hayes edged Merkley 8-6.
“Logan started off behind,” Stump noted. “Once he figured out his opponent’s playing style, he was able to regain some ground.”
In two other close matches, Stephens topped Evenson 8-5 at No. 2 singles, while Dill defeated Wardlow 8-5 at No. 3.
Joplin’s Yarnall beat Johnson 8-2 at No. 4 singles.
“Josh fought through many longer points in his match,” Stump said.
Webb City’s Miller defeated Mancipe 8-2 at No. 5 singles, while Wade handled Vermillion 8-1 at No. 6.
Joplin is at Branson on Thursday. Webb City is at Thomas Jefferson on Wednesday.
