Republic won a district title last season, and the Tigers looked good to start the 2012 season. The Tigers started off their 2012 campaign in winning fashion on Thursday afternoon with a 6-3 victory over the Nixa Eagles.

Republic head coach Eric Hanson was happy with the way his girls preformed today, but it is clear that the focus is all on this season.

“It’s one thing to win a title, it’s another to defend it…...everyone out there is going to take a crack at you,” Hanson said.

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Samantha Minor returns as the leader for the Tigers. Minor was a state singles qualifier last year.  She was able to capture an 8-0 victory in her singles match against Nixa’s Lindsey Hamilton. However, Minor and Meagan McCord fell 9-8 in a tie-break to Hamilton and Lauren Eck in doubles.

This victory was a major accomplishment for a young Nixa team.

Minor knows that she set the bar high for herself with her performance last year, but she approaches this year with a calm but confident attitude.

“I think I just have to take it one match at a time and play the best that I can,” Minor said.

Republic is back on the court tomorrow at 4 p.m. at home against Springfield Catholic. Nixa plays at 4 p.m. next Monday at home against Springfield Central.

Complete Results:

Singles
No. 1-Samantha Minor, Republic def. Lindsey Hamilton; 8-0
No. 2-Lauren Eck, Nixa def. Meagan McCord; 9-8 (10-8)
No. 3-Danielle Hopkins, Republic def. Hannah Nelson; 8-4
No. 4-Michaela Moore, Republic def. Shannon Davis; 8-3
No. 5-Maran Attwooll, Nixa def. Rebecca Ledford; 8-3
No. 6-Ta’lor Sandul, Republic def. Hannah Todd; 8-3

Doubles
No. 1-Eck-Hamilton, Nixa def. McCord-Minor; 9-8
No. 2- Hopkins-Moore, Republic def. Nelson-Davis; 8-2
No. 3-Ledford-Sandul, Republic def. Attwooll-Todd; 8-3