Waynesville Tennis took a close win tonight against Osage, 5-4.  Having met this team once already this season, we knew what to expect.  With #5 Aarron Emperato out tonight, however, our #6 and #7 had to step up to a new opponent.  Dropping in #3 doubles, Waynesville was up 2-1 going into singles.  In a back and forth battle of wins and losses, tonight’s match wasn’t decided until the very end.  We lost #5 and #6 singles from the start, pushing us to 2-3.  Shawn Berrios destroyed his opponent quickly with an 8-0 victory, tying us back up at 3-3.  Tyler Gayman took another strong win at #2, 8-3, putting us back in the lead.  Needing one more win to take the victory, #3 Cameron Martell was in a nail biter.  Falling behind in the beginning, Cameron trailed most of the match by one.  Dropping three games in a row, the score was 3-6, and we were desperate for a win.  Cameron changed his game strategy and managed the next three games.  Going back and forth, Cameron just barely fell, 7-9, in one of the best matches of the night.  Tied at 4-4, the next win was going to determine the victorious team.  Our #1, David Sneed, played a remarkable match.  Another tight match, Sneed and Naudet fought back and forth for the lead.  With a few pretty serve and volley points thrown in, Sneed took the match, 8-6, and led his team to a 5-4 victory overall. 

The Tigers will come out of the weekend for a rescheduled Senior Night on Monday against Willow Springs before Varsity enters Conference play on Tuesday in Springfield. 

Singles

David Sneed vs. Grant Naudet, 8-6

Tyler Gayman vs. Logan Havner, 8-3

Cameron Martell vs. Hunter Albers, 7-9

Shawn Berrios vs. Mitchell Turner, 0-8

Caleb Andrews vs. Anthony Floyd, 5-8

Andrew Esguerra vs. Drew Elley, 0-8

Doubles

Sneed/Berrios vs. Naudet/Albers, 8-5

Gayman/Martell vs. Havner/Turner, 8-2

Andrews/Esguerra vs. Floyd/Elley, 0-8