Bulldog Tennis Falls to Lebanon in Championship Game
- RoMoAthletics
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
April 10th, 2026
As nice as the pool play weather was on Saturday, Mother Nature was not nearly so kind on Championship Friday.
After winning the Camdenton Pool Play portion of the Camdenton-Lebanon Tournament with wins over Camdenton, Columbia Independent and Kirksville, they found themselves squaring off with the Lebanon Yellowjackets in the Championship match.
An 8 am start followed by an almost 6 hour rain delay between Doubles and Singles matches created an unusual game day situation. The Bulldogs battled but lost to a very good Lebanon squad, 2 to 7.
Getting to the Championship
After being tested in Thursday’s pool play, the Bulldogs were confident but also aware of the talent of the Yellowjacket team.
Talking with Coach Vinyard, he felt good where his team was but ran up against a team that was ready for them. “Lebanon is a really quality team with a lot of experience back. They just played better than we did today.”
Doubles
Dubs 1 of Keaton Renaud and Kyle Robinson, played a really good player in Conor McGruder. He is a four year varsity player and has one of the better first serves and all around games that Rolla will see all year.
The Bulldogs broke his serve early but gave it back midway through the match. “We were up 4-3 and then lost back to back games. After that, it was back and forth and with no “add” tennis, we lost a couple of tough deuce points that hurt us,” said Vinyard.
The Dub 2 tandem of Cam Brown and Paxton Ledbetter continued their tough play and were in control throughout the match, winning 8-4.
Singles
Ledbetter recorded the lone win in singles matches. The first serve of the 6’7” senior, continued to be on point allowing him to execute his strategy in singles play. Vineyard was excited about the tournament play by Ledbetter. “I am really proud of how focused he was throughout the match after a long delay.”
Junior Tristan Ace continued to earn his time at the #6 spot and led 6 - 5 before dropping the last 3 games. Coach Vinyard was impressed with how he competed even during those 3 points he lost. “He lost some tough points and a couple of deuce points during that stretch. He will continue to develop for us.”
Brown and senior Connor Johnson lost some tough deuce points during their matches and Vinyard is confident that they will learn from those games. ”With a few adjustments, we will hope to flip those when we play them at home in a few weeks.”
Wrap Up
Sitting at 8 and 1 in the season leaves the Bulldogs a lot to be excited about as they enter the midpoint of their season.
Coach Vinyard was again complimentary of the Lebanon squad, but of his own team for their willingness to grow and learn through challenges. “A credit to Lebanon as they gave each of our doubles teams things to focus on and our kids will have to play better or make adjustments when we play them in two weeks.”
Next Up
Monday Tri-Match at Home
Rolla vs Salem (6-1) at 2:30pm
Rolla vs Licking (1-5) at 6:00pm
Rolla Falls to Lebanon 2-7
Doubles
Keaton Renaud & Kyle Robinson fall to Conor McGruder & Josh Rogers, 5-8
Cameron Brown & Paxton Ledbetter defeat Denver Woodruff & Curtis Frazier, 8-4
Connor Johnson & Jack Greenway fall to Tiegan Vance & Joseph Schuneman, 3-8
Singles
Keaton Renaud falls to Conor McGruder, 4-8
Kyle Robinson falls to Josh Rogers, 0-8
Cameron Brown falls to Denver Woodruff, 5-8
Paxton Ledbetter defeats Curtis Frazier, 8-4
Connor Johnson falls to Tiegan Vance, 5-8
Tristan Ace falls to Joseph Schuneman, 6-8
Comments