Panther Tennis Team
Opens the Season 2 - 0 with Victories
Over Copperas Cove and Harker Heights
The Panther Tennis Team opened up the fall Team Tennis season this Saturday August 20, 2005. The Panthers defeated Copperas Cove 18-1 and Harker Heights 12 - 7. "I am very proud of the players and the work they have put in as they have prepared for the start of the season. We are young and working hard to have a great season," Coach Simonek
The Panthers started the morning by trouncing Copperas Cove 18 - 1. The panthers began the match by taking six of the seven doubles matches. Leading the way in doubles was the tandem of Ross Natividad/Chris Fernandez. "Natividad/Fernandez are a veteran doubles team and have a great understanding of doubles play. They should be a strong part of our doubles line-up this fall" Coach Simonek. Also winning doubles matches against Cove were the tandems of Rochelle/Gilbert, Colleen Myers/Elizabeth Allinson, Rivera/Harrell, Alvarado/Millard, North/McCarter.
The Panthers continued their momentum and swept all 12 singles matches. Magaly Rivera led the way for the Pantherettes in singles at #1. "Magaly has really stepped up and embraced the role of being number one on the team. She had a fantastic weekend going 4-0 in match play," Coach Simonek. Also winning matches in singles were Colleen Myers, Elizabeth Allinson, Lindsey Harrell, Amanda Alvarado, Cat Luedtke, Frankie Allinson, Ben McCarter, Chris Fernandez, Mitchell Myers, Ross Natividad, and Dustin Rochelle.
The Panthers would then travel to Harker Heights to play the Knights. The Panthers would continue to roll as they defeated the Knights 12 - 7. "I felt we came out and played much better doubles in the second match today. We made a commitment to doubles play instead of being individuals on the same court," Coach Simonek. Leading the way for the Panthers against the Knights was the Freshman tandem of Frankie Allinson/Mitchell Myers at #1 Boys Doubles. "These two players have a great future ahead of them, they are doing a great job and making the commitment to the team and team concept," Coach Simonek. Also winning doubles against Heights were Fernandez/Natividad, Rochelle/Gilbert, Colleen Myers/Elizabeth Allinson, Rivera/Harrell, and Millard/Alvarado.
The Panthers would finish off the weekend with strong singles play. Finishing the weekend with wins in singles and other matches for the team were: Magaly Rivera, Lindsey North, Frankie Allinson, Ben McCarter, Mitchell Myers, Dustin Rochelle, Mitch Gurrera, and Saemmul Lee.
The Panthers will next compete in the Midway Team Tennis Tournament on the weekend of August 26 & 27. "We did a great job last weekend, but the tournament will be tough and full of strong Regional teams. We have to put in a great week of workouts and play stronger, harder, and better than we did last week. We are looking to play better and improve each week," Coach Simonek.