Panthers Lose Tough Match

to the Georgetown Eagles

    The Panthers lost a tough match to the Georgetown Eagles this past Tuesday, September 28, 2004.  "We really wanted to test ourselves this week before we head into a big stretch of District play.  We were short our number 2 Boy, but the players did a great job of stepping up and playing at higher ranks," Coach Simonek.

    Leading the way in Doubles play was the tandem of Mark Palladino and Aaron Miller.  "These two guys did a wonderful job today.  They lost the first set 4-6 to Trammel and Hahn, but then they came back and won the next two sets for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.  It was really great to see them fight back in the match and not check out," Coach Simonek.

    Also doing well for the Panthers were Zane Martindale and Jon Kidwell.  "Zane has done an awesome job in singles this year".  Zane is 13-1 in singles match play.  "He always does an excellent job of stepping up in big matches for the team," Coach Simonek.  Zane defeated Aaron Ventura of Georgetown 6-2, 6-2. 

    Jon Kidwell also had an exciting comeback win over Michael Hahn.  Kidwell was down a set after losing the first 4-6.  In the second set, the players battled back and forth until Kidwell got a break and won the set 6-4.  Kidwell carried that momentum into the third set and finished the match off 6-2 in the third set.  "This was a big match for Jon.  He has a lot of potential to impact this team in the doubles and singles line-up.  Today was a glimpse of how much he could help the team," Coach Simonek.

    The Panthers have a huge week next week.  They Play Killeen Ellison on Tuesday, in Killeen.  They also travel to Brownwood next Saturday to face undefeated district foe, the Brownwood Lions.  The Panthers will also play the Defending 3-A State Champion, Abilene Wylie, after they play Brownwood in a District match.  "It was important for us to play a high level opponent today, especially when you look at the week we have ahead of us.  I know that these players will respond next week  with high level tennis.  They have always played their best tennis in big situations," Coach Simonek.