The 2018 fall sports season have come to an end for the Ash Grove volleyball and football teams after losses in their respective district tournaments.
In football, Ash Grove traveled to Skyline, but saw their season come to an end after a 62-12 loss on Oct. 26.
What a difference nine weeks make. Republic avenged a season-opening loss to Branson in its first-round district game, pulling away in the second half for a 34–9 victory. Branson had spoiled opening night at Republic’s new stadium with a late touchdown to win 19–13.
Republic’s soccer team jumped on top of Webb City and cruised to an easy win on Senior Night, winning 8–0. Senior Austin Beck had the biggest night of all, scoring five goals. Three of those goals came in the first six minutes of the game.
A difficult season for Republic’s volleyball program came to an end with a district quarterfinal loss to Nixa, 25–8, 25–7. Nixa’s Ciera Reyes led both teams with seven kills, and Kenzie Hines and Lauren Weber added five each.
Republic’s cross country runners wrapped up their season at the district meet at Ray-Pec High School Saturday. No Republic runners advanced to sectionals.
The Republic Tigers did what they needed to do to win their final regular-season football game against Neosho Friday. Unfortunately, Neosho did the same thing – and the Wildcats did it last, winning a 17–13 decision over Republic in Neosho.
Republic’s softball team came from behind in more than half of their wins this season, but one last comeback wasn’t in the cards in a state sectional loss at Ray-Pec High School. The Lady Tigers ended their season with an 11–2 loss to the Panthers, finishing with a 21–7 record.
You might think Republic volleyball senior Taegan Thomas has every reason to be bitter. She worked hard as a high school and club volleyball player to put herself in a position to be a major force up front for the Lady Tigers in 2018.
Kaitlyn Snyder’s quest for a state medal fell three point shorts at the state tournament in Springfield Friday. Snyder lost her first match, won her second, and her third match would have secured a place on the medal stand.
