By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Singles and doubles tennis participants, throughout the Central Ozark Conference gave their best efforts in hopes of grabbing a gold medal at this year’s COC Tennis Tournament held at the Cooper Complex on Wednesday, Sept. 28, in Springfield.
Walking off the court as the 2022 No. 1 Singles Bracket Champion was Joplin’s Emma Watts. Watts defeated Ozark silver medalist Lilli Roeder 8-3 in the tournament final to capture this year’s title.
However, for the Joplin senior, it wasn’t the first time she’s taken home a gold medal from a COC tournament.
“My former partner, who graduated last year, and I have won the No. 1 doubles title for the past two years,” said Watts. “But, after having lost her to graduation, I decided to enter this year’s tournament in singles.”
Joplin head coach Ben Coltharp said, that although Watts played well, picking up this year’s gold medal wasn’t an easy task for his No. 1 singles player.
“She played a lot of really tough opponents in the tournament. But she did have a great day on the courts en route to winning this year’s championship,” said Coltharp. “It was a great experience for her and should give her a boost of confidence as we head into our district tournament.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE TOURNAMENT
And what was her secret to success?
“I focused mostly on the mental side of my game,” said Watts. “I kept calm and stayed very positive throughout the match, which helped a lot.”
“Right now though I’m just enjoying the win,” she said. “I’ve been playing well so I feel great, confident and ready to move on.”
The No. 2 singles bracket title was captured by Branson’s Sylvie Barbour. Barbour defeated Nixa’s Ellie Sorgenfrei 8-6 to pick up the gold medal.
“I feel like I played well today. So did Ellie, she was a really good opponent,” said Barbour. “But the win feels good. I play for God and I’m very thankful to have won for Him.”
“Sylvie has had a great year. With today’s win she’s 18-0,” said Branson head coach Mike Draper. “I couldn’t be happier and I’m really excited for her.”
In No. 1 doubles play Nixa’s Arabella Cosgrove and Abigail Fulnecky edged Carthage’s Daniela Marquez and Kianna Yates 8-6 to claim this year’s championship.
“Being a COC champion is an amazing feeling,” said Cosgrove. “Especially for me. Abigail is a senior so I really wanted to win for her.”
“I’ve come a long way since I was a freshman. I’ve worked really hard, as has the rest of our team,” said Fulnecky. “But getting a COC championship in my senior year, that’s really a vesry special feeling.”
Picking up this year’s No. 2 doubles title were Republic’s Isabelle Wells and Taylor Massey. The Tiger doubles team downed Ozark’s Laura Wolfe and Serena Broussard 9-8, 7-4 in the championship final.
“We had to work really hard to get today’s title,” said Massey. “We fell behind early in several of our matches but were able to come back to win.”
“I think winning today was really important for both Taylor and me,” said Isabelle. “It showed us if we keep trying, we can overcome obstacles that get in our way, to get to the top. Being a champion feels great and I’m so proud of what we were able to accomplish today.”
COC ‘Top 4’ Results
No. 1 Singles
1. Emma Watts – Joplin
2. Lilli Roeder – Ozark
3. Samantha Fulnecky – Nixa
4. Fuentes – Branson
No. 2 Singles
1. Sylvie Barbour – Branson
2. Ellie Sorgenfrei – Nixa
3. Ellayna Woodward – Republic
4. Shaeley Combs – Ozark
No. 1 Doubles
1. Arabella Cosgrove & Abigail Fulnecky – Nixa
2. Daniela Marquez & Kianna Yates – Carthage
4. Jaydyn Dalton & Makenna Whitfield – Ozark
No. 2 Doubles
1. Isabelle Wells & Taylor Massey – Republic
2. Laura Wolfe & Serena Broussard – Ozark
3. Emily Peterson & Jocelyn Cosgrove – Nixa
4. Emily Higgins & Emily Rice – Carl Junction
