Panther Tennis Team Sweeps

District Championships

            The Panther Tennis Team took the 1^st place titles in the Men’s and Women’s divisions at the District 16-AAAA Tennis Tournament.  “Our players put in a lot of work this spring and have taken the first step in attaining their goals this spring.  I am very proud of them and their results this past weekend,” Coach Simonek.  The Panthers not only took the team titles, but they also swept all five of the Championships.

            Frankie Allinson and Hunter Harrell led the Panthers in singles.  Hunter Harrell made his way into the semifinals with a 6-1, 6-1 win over TJ Tanner of Waco High.  “Hunter sets a great standard for the work ethic at practice.  He shows a lot of maturity for a freshman and will be a huge part of our team in the next three years,” Coach Simonek.  Harrell would lose to the #2 Seed, Chris Niswonger of Copperas Cove, in the semifinals.  

Frankie Allinson took the Men’s Singles Championship for the Panther Tennis Team.  Allinson would advance to the finals with victories over Vishal Ghandi (Killeen) and Mats Lueer (Copperas Cove).  Allinson would take the championship with a 6-1, 6-4 win in the finals against Chris Niswonger (Copperas Cove).  “Frankie has done a tremendous job this spring.  He is really starting to dictate play more and put his opponents on the defensive,” Coach Simonek.

The doubles tandems of Kilgo/Fernandez and Coombs/Waltrip led the Panthers in doubles.  Coombs/Waltrip made their way into the semifinals with a victory over District rival Brownwood.  “Coombs/Waltrip have really shown a lot of improvement this spring.  They have really started to gel as a doubles team,” Coach Simonek.  Coombs/Waltrip would lose a well-played semifinal match to the #2 seeds Bengston/Simmett 2-6, 2-6.

Kilgo/Fernandez would take the doubles District championship for the Panthers.  The after a first round bye, the tandem cruised in to the finals with victories over Collado/Cuellar (Killeen) and Kingery/Ogo (Copperas Cove).  In the finals Kilgo/Fernandez would step up and defeat Bengston/Simmett (Copperas Cove) 6-4, 6-2 to take the District championship.  “Kilgo/Fernandez have really progressed into a great doubles team.  When they stay consistent with their doubles plans and play, they are a force to be reckoned with,” Coach Simonek. 

The Pantherettes also had great success at the District tournament.  Lindsey Harrell and Saemmul Lee led the Pantherettes in singles.  Myers/Allinson and Becker/Amos led the Pantherettes in doubles.  In the singles play Saemmul Lee made it to the quarterfinals before losing a tough match 2-6, 5-7 to Ashley Freel (Copperas Cove).  “Saemmul Lee is a great example of what being a Panther is all about.  She sets a wonderful standard at practice and anytime she steps on the court.  She had a rough day, but I know she has a great year ahead of her as a senior next year,” Coach Simonek.

Lindsey Harrell definitely set the pace in the Women’s singles.  She would step up and dominate as she took the Women’s District Championship.  “Lindsey has had a fantastic year for the Pantherettes.  She has matured so much as a player and I am very excited for her as she heads to Regionals,” Coach Simonek.  Harrell went through her first opponents in straight sets, defeating Charolette Horn (Killeen) and Heather Pergande (Copperas Cove).  In the finals Harrell would start in dominate fashion against Keely Brown (Brownwood) taking the first set 6-1.  After being down 1-5 in the second set, Harrell made a strong push back in the set before dropping it 4-6.  Harrell would regain her control of the match in the third set and win the match 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. 

Amos/Becker made a strong push for the Pantherettes with a semifinal appearance in the Women’s Doubles.  The Lady Panthers won their quarterfinal match with a victory over Morelock/Faethce (Brownwood).  “Becker/Amos have worked hard this spring and have really taken huge strides as players.  They are very determined and continue to push to be a strong factor for their team,” Coach Simonek.

The tandem of Myers/Allinson would take the Women’s Doubles District Championship for the Pantherettes.  This gives the tandem back-to-back District Championships in Women’s Doubles.  “I am very happy for Myers/Allinson, they have been a great part of our program for the past four years,” Coach Simonek.  Myers Allinson went through the tournament without dropping a set.  They defeated Alfred/Lopez (Killeen), Jones/Walker (Copperas Cove), and Fox/Rachenkova (Killeen).

The Panthers would finish the sweep of the 5 District Titles by taking the Mixed-Doubles crown.  North/Guerra would win the Championship for the Panther Tennis Team.  “This two have a great opportunity this spring.  They really rise to the occasion and play great doubles together,” Coach Simonek.  The tandem defeated Evans/Chaput (Brownwood) and Almli/Cranfill (Copperas Cove) to make the finals.  In the finals they would face the number 1 seeds Thomas/Quenell (Brownwood).  North/Guerra stormed out of the gates taking the first set 6-0.  After dropping the second set the tandem would finish off the match 6-0, 4-6, 7-6.  Lindsey Norht would finish the match with a huge overhead slam on match point in the tie-breaker. 

The Panthers were also well represented by their other mixed-doubles team of Curry/Gilbert.  “These two have also done a phenomenal job for us this spring.  They work hard at practice and have became a great doubles tandem together,” Coach Simonek.  Curry/Gilbert would take 3^rd place in the mixed doubles.  Curry/Gilbert would lose a tough match to the #1 seeds, Thomas/Quenell (Brownwood), 4-6, 5-7 in the semifinals.  The tandem then would come back strong in the 3^rd place match and fought off match points to defeat Almli/Cranfill (Copperas Cove) in three sets for 3^rd place. 

The Panthers and Pantherettes are fired up as they prepare for Regionals.  “We are excited and ready to put in a great week of practice.  We are looking forward to competing for the chance to go to the State tournament,” Coach Simonek.  The Regional Tournament will be held at the University of North Texas, April 24^th – 26^th.