For the first time since the 2013 season, Ozark (1-1) finally found itself on the right side of the scoresheet when facing its arch rival.
Thanks to a hot start in doubles play, the determined Tigers downed the Nixa Eagles (2-1) on Thursday, 5-4, to get the proverbial monkey off their backs.
“As long as I've been at this school, we haven't beat them yet,” Ozark junior Trace Sederwall said in reference to Nixa. “Today, we beat them and that's kind of a good feeling.”
Falling by scores of 5-4 and 5-3, respectively, to the Eagles last season, Ozark made sure to get over the hump by leaving as little doubt as possible from the time the first ball was struck.
The Tigers duo of Jordan Levi Gangemi and Bailey Longley did their part in doubles play by turning back Nixa's Garrett Bacon and Lance Moore by a score of 8-3, while the Tucker Jennings/Trace Sederwall combo posted an 8-5 triumph over Noah Davidson/Jose Alcantara.
The crucial wins in the doubles round not only gave the Tigers a 2-1 advantage going into singles, but also provided a much-needed mental spark for a squad that has had its hands full with its COC foe.
“I was very pleased with our doubles,” Tigers head coach Greg Hannah said. “We did a good job with our volleys and got our first serves in. I think it's a big mental advantage starting with doubles and having that two to one lead.”
Nixa senior Garrett Bacon put the Eagles back in the thick of things after taking down Gangemi, 8-6, in a battle of No. 1 players in singles, but the win was quickly neutralized by the most impressive member of Ozark's club thus far in senior Bailey Longley.
At the No. 2 spot, Longley made quick work of junior Briggs Boyd by a final of 8-2 – sealing his second victory in singles matches this year and giving him a sparkling 4-0 record overall.
“I have to tip my hat to him,” Hannah said of Longley. “He's definitely been our leader so far.”
Both teams would split the remaining four matches as Nixa showed resiliency in the No. 5 and 6 contests – winning both by a combined score of 16-2.
Despite his loss in the No. 6 match in the singles round, Ozark's Sederwall remained positive after the dual and looked back on his strong showing in doubles.
“We played really well on the net and our backhands and forehands both did pretty well down the line,” Sederwall said.
Nixa head coach Slade Snowden isn't planning on letting the dual defeat get in his team's way and is instead focusing on getting better and taking things as they come.
“It's still early and we've had two pretty good matches,” said Snowden. “Really, it's just working on being consistent, getting our first serves in, making sure of our volleys and just taking it one match at a time. We've got a long season ahead of us.”
Ozark looks to continue its winning ways when it competes against Bolivar on Tuesday. Nixa squares off with Webb City on Monday.
RESULTS – Ozark listed first
Singles
Jordan Levi Gangemi 6-8 Garrett Bacon
Bailey Longley 8-2 Briggs Boyd
Tate Ryan Mahnken 8-4 Benjamin Boyd
Hunter Thompson 8-4 Lance Moore
Tucker Jennings 2-8 Noah Davidson
Trace Sederwall 0-8 Jose Alcantara
Doubles
Gangemi/Longley 8-3 Bacon/Moore
Mahnken/Thompson 3-8 Boyd/Boyd
Jennings/Sederwall 8-5 Davidson/Alcantara
