The Tigers took a tough loss tonight against the Rolla Bulldogs, just barely falling 4-5. Taking two losses in doubles from the start is typically a tough rebound. With an 8-2 win at #2 doubles, Tyler Jones and Caleb Andrews kept us in the running. Needing four more singles victories to score a team win, the Tigers knew they would have to fight hard going into singles.

#1 Tyler Gayman started us off right with an 8-5 victory over a very tough Bulldog opponent.  Tyler overcame a major barrier tonight. With Madria feeding off of Gayman’s typical playing style, Tyler had to completely change his thinking on the court. Slowing the ball down, Gayman used precise placement tonight to throw his opponent off base, taking the win. Dropping games soon after on courts 3 and 4, the Tigers were now behind 2-4 as a team. With a line judge called on court 5, Caleb Andrews won 8-5, bringing us to 3-4 overall. Needing two more to win the match, the pressure grew greater and greater. Aarron Emperato scored a tough match with a very consistent player, 8-6. Matches like these tend to be very frustrating when your opponent acts as a backboard, returning all your shots. Aarron handled it well though, rushing the net and playing a very aggressive game. Best match of the night, however, goes to Tyler Jones. Playing at #2, Tyler competed in a very tight dual with his Bulldog opponent. Playing neck and neck all night, each taking the lead at multiple points in the match, Tyler fought his way to a tiebreaker. Vying back and forth for points, Tyler dropped two in a row to finished 8-9 (5-7). This team match could not have been closer.

The Tigers have two home matches next week, taking Richland on Tuesday and North Kansas City High School on Friday.

Singles

Tyler Gayman vs. Pranal Madria, 8-5

Tyler Jones vs. Micah Martin, 8-9 (5-7)

Shawn Berrios vs. Joel Schott, 2-8

Nels Fry vs. Owin Akins, 3-8

Caleb Andrews vs. Josiah Homan, 8-5

Aarron Emperato vs. Ethan Wang, 8-6

Doubles

Gayman/Fry vs. Madria/Schott, 2-8

Jones/Andrews vs. Martin/Akins, 8-2

Berrios/Emperato vs. Homan/Jacob Lennox, 6-8