The Republic Tigers captured this year's 'COC Large Tennis Tournament' championship held in Branson on Wednesday.
The Tigers dominated the tournament winning five of six singles flight titles and two of three doubles.
Republic amassed 29 points for their days work to finish on top of a seven team field. Ozark placed second with 23 points, Nixa who scored 17 finished third and Branson was fourth with 14.
The victory was a milestone for the Tigers who won the 'COC Tournament' for the first time in the school's history.
"This is something we've been building on for the past several years," Tiger head coach Dan Vales said. "Four year's ago we came to this tournament and didn't even win a match. But every year our kids have gotten better and better in an effort to help us get to the top. Today they got there and everybody with us here is so proud of them."
Republic's Michael Nacy walked away from the tournament with a first flight singles title. The Tiger senior grabbed the tourney's top prize by downing Webb City's O.B. King 8-3.
"This was my last COC Tournament so I wasn't going to leave anything out on the court today. I played really hard and was on top of my game," Nacy said. "O.B. and I have played some really good matches but today everything was clicking for me."
It was a tough tournament for Nacy, a tournament he went out and won for a very special reason.
"Michael's brother has been ill and in the hospital in St. Louis," an emotional coach Vales said. "Michael wanted to come out and win today for Stephen. They have a very special family and Michael is such a great kid. He's been like an extra coach for us around here for the past four years. We're going to miss him next year."
Republic's Bradley Hendrix, also a senior grabbed the second flight championship. Hendrix outlasted Ozark's Bailey Longley 8-5.
"I don't think I played my best today. A lot of my shots were a little bit off their mark," he said. " I've played Bailey before and he's gotten the best of me. But today was my day, I came back to win this time and I'm really happy to get the win."
Branson head coach, and this year's COC tournament director Sean Kembell felt that this year's tourney was, win or lose, a success.
"I feel we had a great tournament today. We had a lot of close matches and a lot of good sportsmanship exhibited out on the courts. The kids were excellent reflections of their conferences and communites- kids for which we call all be proud."
COC teams will now move on to their district tournament next week.
Singles Title Results
First Flight: 1. Michael Nacy Republic def. 2. O.B. King Webb City 8-3
Second Flight: 1. Bradley Hendrix Republic def. 2. Bailey Longley Ozark 8-5.
Third Flight: 1. Gabe Bandfield Republic def. 2. Zach Bliss Branson 8-5.
Fourth Flight: 1. Dylan Mackey Republic def. 2. Luke Steding Branson 8-6.
Fifth Flight: 1.Trace Sederwall Ozark def. 2. Noah Davidson Nixa 9-7.
Sixth Flight: 1. Case Birlew Republic def. 2. Cade Chrastina Ozark 8-1.
Doubles Title Results
First Flight: 1. Gangemi-Longley Ozark def. 2. Bacon-Boyd (Briggs) Nixa 8-5.
Second Flight: 1. Hendrix-Mackey Republic def. 2. Boyd (Ben) Davidson Nixa 8-6.
Third Flight: 1. Bandfield-Birlew Republic def. 2. Snyder-Baker Branson 8-4.
