Panther Tennis Team wins Frisco Team Tennis Tournament

         The Midway Panther Tennis Team (5-0) won the Frisco Team Tennis Tournament this past weekend, August 22 & 23, 2008.  “This was a great statement at the start of our season.  We have set high standards for ourselves and are putting the work in to attain our goals,” Coach Simonek.

            The Panthers faced a tough field of top ranked 4A and 5A competitors in the tournament.  On Friday, August 22, they jumped out to a great start with a 12-4 win over The Colony and a 10-1 win over Justin Northwest in the tournament Quarterfinals.  “The one factor that truly stood out for our players in these matches was what great shape they are in as the season starts.  They have an extraordinary amount of pride in their conditioning, which translates to great things in matches,” Coach Simonek.

            The Panthers continued their dominance on Saturday, August 23, 2008.  In the morning they faced Garland NF in the tournament Semifinals.  The Panthers jumped out to an amazing 7-0 lead after doubles match play and finished off Garland with a 10-1 victory.  This would set up a great final with Regional foe, the Frisco Centennial Titans. 

            The Panthers and Titans would battle back and forth on all 7 doubles matches.  Frankie Allinson and Kolby Kilgo lead the way for the Panthers with a quick win at #1 Doubles, defeating the Titans #1 Doubles team 6-3, 6-1.  After trading the next couple of matches, the Panthers established the early match lead 4-3 after Doubles match play.  “One of our top priorities this year as a team is dominance in doubles play and setting the early tone for our matches.  The players did an outstanding job this weekend earning the lead in each match after doubles play,” Coach Simonek.   

            The Panthers would step up to a much higher level in the singles play and finish off the Titans 11-4. 

            The Panthers next match is against the Belton Tigers this Thursday, August 28, 2008.  The Panthers will play the Tigers at 4:00 at the Midway High School Tennis Courts.