By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Republic Lady Tigers are still perfect in 2017, but just barely. The Tigers, who sport an unblemished 9-0 record this year, got a real scare from Ozark High school Tuesday afternoon at Republic.
Ozark battled the Cats throughout the afternoon before finally falling prey to Republic 5-4. The loss dropped Ozark to 4-2 on the year.
“These girls are special. They get after it on the court and somehow always seem to be able to find a way to win,” said Republic High head coach Eric Hanson. “They all knew what we had to do today to pick up a win against a very determined Ozark High and they went out and got it done.”
Pivotal to winning the match for the Lady Tigers, and keeping their undefeated season on track was No. 5 player Jordyn Gianopulos. Gianopulos won her match in a tie-breaker 9-8 (7-0) to seal the victory for the Tigers.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Although Gianopulos’ match had a happy ending, for Republic, it had an unsettling beginning. After the first nine games the Tiger junior found herself trailing 3-6.
“We played each other pretty close at first but then she began winning a lot of points and jumped out in front 3-6,” Gianopulos said. “I was beginning to get down on myself. But I knew the match was about more than just me, it was about team. I just couldn’t afford to let them down so I fought back hard and I won.”
“It was a big win for us, and certainly a pivotal one,” Hanson said. “She was down 3-6 but battled back to give us the win. She just wouldn’t give up. That certainly says a lot about her character.”
All in all 2017 has been a great one so far for Republic. So what has been the Tiger’s secret to early season success? Republic’s No. 1 player, Kaitlyn Snyder seems to have the answer.
“I think it’s the encouragement we’re always giving each other and the hard work we put in at practice,” said Snyder. “We’re really all very close and I feel like the Tigers are my second family.”
Although dropping the contest, Ozark High coach Mark Bain was happy with the effort put out by his Lady Tigers.
“At 5-4 it could have gone either way. This time it went their way but you have to give our kids credit for battling hard right up to the end.”
Ozark’s Macy Abernathy is a good example of that. Despite having to deal with the fact that her team had already lost, 5-3, she went on to pick up an 8-5 win for OHS in the game’s final match of the day.
Republic will take on Joplin on Thursday, at home. Seniors will be honored at the match.
Tuesday’s match, held in Republic, was a triangular. Also competing was Neosho. Republic downed Neosho 9-0 while Ozark topped the Wildcats 8-1.
Republic 5, Ozark
Singles- 1. Kaitlyn Snyder (R) def Madison Woods (O) 8-2; 2. Heather Georges (R) def Bailey Major (O) 8-6; 3.Macy Abernathy (O) def Molly Womack (R) 8-5; 4. Abigail Taylor (O) def Carly Mcatee (R) 8-1; 5. Jordyn Gianopulos (R) def Kaitlyn Short (O) 9-8; 6. Jadyn Engel (O) def (R) Katie Stiles 8-3.
Doubles- 1. Snyder & Womack (R) def Woods & Abernathy (O) 8-2; 2. Major & Engle (O) def Georges & Stiles (R) 8-4; 3. Mcatee & Gianopulos (R) def Taylor & Short (O) 8-5.
