Panther Tennis Team Wins
3rd Consecutive District Title
With a 13 - 6 Victory Over the Brownwood Lions
The Midway Panthers clinched their 3rd Consecutive District Title with a 13 - 6 victory over the Brownwood Lions this past weekend, October 9, 2004. "The players really stepped up today and played with focus, desire and determination. They played with all heart on the courts, it was amazing watching them step-up once again in a big situation," Coach Simonek.
The Jumped out quickly in the Doubles match play, taking a 5 - 2 lead after the completion of the doubles round. "This was the best we have played doubles as a team this year. There is no better time to have it all start clicking as we finish out District and head into the Regional Tournament," Coach Simonek.
Leading the way for the Panthers in Doubles was the tandem of Mark Palladino/John Kidwell. "These guys played an awesome match against Brownwood," Coach Simonek. Palladino/Kidwell were down 4-6, 2-5. They were just one game away from losing the match in straight sets. "It was like all of a sudden it just clicked for these guys. The realization that they could not be two individuals on the court and that they had to make that commitment to doubles," Coach SImonek. Palladno/Kidwell ran off five straight games to take the second set 7-5 and force a third set. The tandem continued their domination from that point forward and won the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Others winning big matches in the doubles were Martindale/harder, McCarter/Allinson, Rivera/Dunlap, and Foster/Myers.
The Panthers kept the momentum going in the singles match play. The Panthers took eight out of the 12 singles matches played. "We are so strong and deep in singles. Now that the doubles is starting to come together as a team, we are very excited about the future and opportunities that we have," Coach Simonek.
Leading the way for the Panthers in Singles was Elizabeth Allinson. "Elizabeth has been such a rock for this team this year. She is 12-4 in doubles and 14-2 in singles. She is having a great year and continues to get better as we move forward from match to match," Coach Simonek. Also winning matches against the Lions were Zane Martindale, Jon Hudson, Evan Harder, Mark Palladino, John Kidwell, Lizzie McCarter, and Brittany Dunlap. "This was a huge win for the team, I am very excited when the players see the rewards of the work and effort that they put in to their preparation," Coach Simonek.
The day was not over though. The Panthers would turn right around and play the defending 3A State Champions, Abilene Wylie, in a dual match. "Probably the biggest challenge we faced was getting right back on the courts. We had a rain delay that set us behind that day and finished very late in the match against Brownwood. I was very excited about the players fire and desire to go out and play the Eagles," Coach Simonek.
The Eagles jumped out on the Panthers taking a 2 - 5 lead after the doubles play. "I am still very pleased with the direction we are heading in doubles. We lost two big three-set matches in doubles, but I knew that our players would respond in the singles," Coach Simonek.
The Panthers did respond and dig out of the whole that they dug in singles play. The Panthers would eventually tie the match up at 9-9, before losing one last close match to give the Eagles the victory. "This was a great experience for us. We played a tough match in the morning and had to face another tough opponent after about a 40 minute break. The players responded to the situation and were able to se that they can compete in any situation that confronts them," Coach Simonek.
The panthers will finish out District Play next Tuesday, October 12, 2004 against the Killeen Roos. The Panthers have already clinched the District Title and look to finish out their District Season undefeated. Come out and support the Panthers next Tuesday at the Midway High School Tennis Courts at 4:00.