Brunton/Hudson Take 2nd Place in Boys Doubles at Corsicana

     This past weekend the Midway Panther Tennis Team competed in the Mertz Classic in Corsicana.  "We had a really great tournament this weekend.  It is amazing to watch these players and how much progress they have made this spring.  They will continue to work hard and make improvements as we move towards the finish of our season," Coach Simonek.

     Leading the way for the Panthers was the doubles tandem of Jake Brunton/Jonathan Hudson.  "Wow, these two guys are really starting to gel as a doubles team.  It is scary to think how good they can be by the end of the spring," Coach Simonek.  Brunton/Hudson cruised through Friday with victories over Jacksonville 6-1, 6-0, Kaufman 6-3, 6-2 and Ennis 6-1, 6-0.  This took them into the tournament finals on Saturday against Kaufman's A team.  Brunton/Hudson fought back and forth with the tandem from Kaufman before losing a tough three set match, 7-5, 1-6, 3-6. 

     Also doing well for the Panthers were John Seward/Ben McCarter, who took 7th place in Boys Doubles.  Seward/McCarter defeated Jacksonville 6-0, 6-0 in the opening round before losing a hard fought three set match to South Lake Carroll 0-6, 7-6, 3-6.  McCarter/Seward would come back to win the 7th place match against Corsicana 6-3, 6-1.  Evan Harder also took 7th place in Boys Singles.  Harder began the tournament with a 6-0, 6-1 win against Corsicana.  In the quarterfinals Harder lost 3-6, 3-6 to Dan Butkus of Midlothian.  Harder would come back and take 7th place with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Kaufman on Saturday.

     Stepping up and leading the way for the Pantherettes was the doubles team of Magaly Rivera/Brittany Dunlap.  Rivera/Dunlap were semifinalist in the girls doubles division.  Rivera/Dunlap opened the tournament with a 6-4, 6-2 win against Jacksonville and made their way into the semifinals by defeating Kaufman 6-0, 6-1.  The doubles team would lose a back and forth match against Corsicana in the semifinals 3-6, 4-6.  "Rivera/Dunlap are really moving to higher levels in their doubles play.  The next step for them is to make the mental realization of their physical improvements and have the confidence that they can compete with anyone that they step on the court with," Coach Simonek.

     Others doing well for the Pantherettes were Justine Duke/Ashley Foster in girls doubles and Lizzie McCarter in Girls Singles.  Duke/Foster took 7th place in girls doubles.  The tandem opened the tournament with a ictory over Kaufman 6-0, 3-6, 7-6.  In the quarterfinals Duke/Foster would lose to Corsicana 3-6, 3-6 but would return to defeat Kaufman in the 7th place match 6-4, 7-5.  McCarter fought valiantly in the opening round but lost a tough match to Southlake Carroll 6-3, 4-6, 0-6.  McCarter would rebound and go undefeated for the remainder of the weekend  defeating Belton 6-0, 6-1, Midlothian 6-2, 6-1 and Ennis 6-3, 7-5. 

     The Panthers will face Harker Heights in a dual match on Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 4:00.  The match will be at Harker Heights High School.  After that the Panther Tennis Team will head into spring break.  The week following the break the Panthers will host the Mike Nesbit Tennis Tournament on Friday, March 26, 2004.  The tournament will be held at the Waco Regional Tennis Center and Midway High School.