The boys tennis team will be in the Final Four for the 12th consecutive year after doing exceptional in this weekend’s sectional match in Springfield.

To get there, the most recent blow the Bruins had to deal was to Springfield Glendale (5-0) and Joplin (5-1). Sectionals consisted of six single matches and three double matches. In postseason matches, the first team to win five matches is the winner, and for the past 12 years that team has been Rock Bridge.

RBHS’ match against Glendale “was probably most exciting,” junior Jacob Winton said. “We beat them really quickly without dropping a match.”

Another pivotal win from Rock Bridge came from sophomore Rohit Rao. He played in the finals at  number three singles. He was down (0-4) in the first set but came back to win the match (7-6) (6-3).

Rao watched alongside his teammates as RBHS’s No. 3e doubles team, junior Raymond Majors and sophomore Alex Wasden, helped advance their team to the final four by winning their match against Joplin.

 After a dozen years of making it to the final four of state, Bruin tennis players know to keep their sites aimed high.

Final Four will  be Thursday, April 23, at the Cooper Tennis Center in Springfield. Despite last year’s state win, Winton doesn’t feel any more pressure than he usually does.

“It’s mostly just the expectations we have for ourselves,” Winton said. “I don’t think we let the expectations other people have for us really get in the way. We know not to take anything for granted and that it won’t be easy.”
Whatever challenges come their way, Winton and the rest of the team are ready for anything.  He says whenever he steps onto the court he is ready for battle, and this year’s Final Four will be no different.
“I feel my blood turn to fiery lava and my jaw tightens,” Winton said. “I grip my racket and my jaw tightens,” Winton said. “I grip my racket and prepare for a battle of intellect, will and brute strength.”
By Lauren Jamison