JOPLIN, Mo. — The Joplin girls’ tennis team split their recent matches, securing a thrilling 5-4 victory over Webb City before falling 1-8 to a strong Carl Junction squad.
Against Webb City, Joplin’s doubles pairings saw mixed results: Lily Compton and Lylah Fry fell 2-8 to Maecy Beverlin and Katelyn Cox, while Julia Reyes and Louisa Curchin dropped a close 5-8 decision to Lorelai Fisher and Sadae Reid. However, Kylea Thullsen and Elaina Ramos provided a spark, earning an 8-6 win over Aubrey Peterson and Aranza Zavala to keep Joplin in the hunt.
In singles, Joplin turned the tide. Lylah Fry powered past Aubrey Peterson 8-5, Lily Compton dominated Sadae Reid 8-3, Elaina Ramos outlasted Katelyn Cox 8-5, and Louisa Curchin cruised to an 8-3 win over Aranza Zavala. Despite losses from Julia Reyes (4-8 to Maecy Beverlin) and Kylea Thullsen (5-8 to Lorelai Fisher), Joplin’s four singles victories secured the 5-4 team win.
The momentum didn’t carry over against Carl Junction, where Joplin struggled against a formidable opponent. All three doubles matches proved challenging: Julia Reyes and Kylea Thullsen fell 2-8 to Brooklin Leggett and Brooke Jasperson, Lily Compton and Lylah Fry battled but lost 7-9 to Olivia Bakos and Emma Strickland, and Louisa Curchin and Elaina Ramos dropped a 3-8 decision to Valeria Figueroa and Hailey Hunter.
Singles play offered little relief, with Louisa Curchin providing Joplin’s lone bright spot in an 8-4 victory over Hailey Hunter. Losses came for Julia Reyes (4-8 to Brooklin Leggett), Lylah Fry (3-8 to Brooke Jasperson), Kylea Thullsen (2-8 to Olivia Bakos), Lily Compton (4-8 to Valeria Figueroa), and Elaina Ramos (5-8 to Emma Strickland), resulting in an 1-8 defeat for Joplin.