The host Eagles ended the inaugural Joplin Interstate Championships with a victory.
Joplin defeated Willard 5-4 in the third-place match of the Interstate Championship’s Challengers Bracket on Saturday at the JHS tennis courts.
In their tourney finale, Ben Coltharp’s Eagles had a strong showing in the singles matches after they dropped two of three doubles contests to start the dual.
At No. 1 doubles, Willard’s Alyssa Flynn and Evie Sly defeated Joplin’s Emma Watts and Mya Ndedi Ntepe 10-7. At No. 2 doubles, Willard’s Gracie Chunn and Jacey Wilson edged Joplin’s Jensen Vowells and Brynn Driver 11-9.
Joplin’s Alex Carson and Bonnie Smith won the No. 3 doubles match by forfeit.
The Eagles won four of the six singles matches to secure the match victory.
At No. 1 singles, Watts beat Flynn 10-6. Willard won at No. 2 and No. 3, as Sly defeated Ndedi Ntepe 10-8 and Chunn topped Vowels 10-7.
Driver defeated Jayden Troutt 10-7 at No. 4 singles and Carson beat Wilson 10-4 at No. 5.
At No. 6 singles, Joplin’s Jadyn Elder won by forfeit over Katelyn Long.
In Saturday’s semifinals, Willow Springs defeated Joplin 5-2.
Joplin’s Vowels and Ndedi Ntepe won the No. 2 doubles match 6-3 over Claire Clarkstone and Melaina Wilson.
Joplin’s Elder defeated Briana Hann 6-4 at No. 6 singles for the team’s other win.
The Eagles defeated College Heights Christian 5-3 in the first match of bracket play.
In doubles, Joplin’s Watts-Driver defeated Natalie Brueggemann and Emery Yantis 6-0, while Vowels and Ndedi Ntepe beat Ella Bishop and Jeanna Smathers 6-2. College Heights’ Avery Baker and Isabelle Clevenger defeated Carson-Smith 6-2 at No. 3 doubles.
In completed singles matches, Joplin’s Watts beat Brueggemann 6-1, Vowels defeated Bishop 6-2 and Driver topped Smathers 6-0. CHC’s Yantis edged Ndedi Ntepe 7-6 (7-4) and Clevenger defeated Smith 6-3.
In other action, College Heights defeated Webb City (score unavailable). The Cardinals also suffered a 5-0 loss to Willow Springs on Saturday.
In Saturday’s Challengers Bracket championship match, Willow Springs defeated Harrisonville 5-2.
Bentonville West defeated Rogers 6-0 in the Champions Bracket championship. Staley beat Rogers Heritage 5-3 for third place.
CARL JUNCTION RESULTS
After going 2-1 on Friday, Carl Junction competed in the Champions Bracket on Saturday.
Staley defeated Carl Junction 5-0 and the Bulldogs beat Rogersville 5-1 in the consolation semifinals.
Against Rogersville, Isabel Read and Emily Rice won singles matches, while Carl Junction swept the three doubles matches. Jenna Besperat and Naiyah Wurdeman defeated Archer-Coryell 6-4, Read and Alyssa Graves beat Wubbena-Powell 6-2 and Rice and Emmy Higgins defeated Wood-Bybee 6-4.
In the fifth-place match, Lee’s Summit North defeated Carl Junction 5-1. Read won CJ’s lone match during singles play.
The 16-team tourney was held at both JHS and at Millennium Family Fitness.