Panther Tennis Team
Wins Midway Team Tennis Tournament
The Panther Tennis Team opened this weekend by winning first place in the Midway Team Tennis Tournament. “It was a great start to the year by our team. I was very impressed by the heart and desire these players today,” Coach Simonek. The Panther Tennis Team went undefeated in pool play and won the championship with determination.
The Panthers opened the tournament on Friday with dominating wins in their pool play. They opened up the season and the tournament with a 10-1 victory over the Groesbeck Goats. “The players were excited about seeing different faces today. They really set a great tone for the tournament with their play in the opening match,” Coach Simonek. The Panthers would take an early lead after doubles 6-1 and continue their momentum into the singles.
In the afternoon pool play on Friday, the Panthers continued with early dominance in the doubles play. They would take an early 6-1 lead against Van. After quickly attaining four wins in the singles, the Panthers would move into Saturday tied for first in their pool play. The Panther Tennis Team would finish out pool play Saturday against undefeated Harker Heights. Harker Heights was 10-0 on the season and looking to continue their undefeated streak.
Saturday the Panthers would find their first whole of the weekend in the Harker Heights match. The Panther Tennis Team was down 3-4 after the doubles play. “Harker Heights came out very determined and we lost some close matches in the doubles. It was unbelievable how well our players responded in the singles play,” Coach Simonek. In singles play the Panthers rallied and fought to take every victory possible. The panthers would quickly eliminate the deficit in doubles taking a 7-5 lead. The match would tighten-up with the Panthers ahead of the Knights 8-7. Bryan Bessellieu (#5 singles) had lost the first set but came back with a vengeance taking the second set 6-0 and wining the match 4-6, 6-0, 10-2. This put the Panthers within one match of victory. Kally Amos would next finish off her opponent with a 6-2, 6-2 win at #5 Women’s Singles. This would give the Panthers the victory and set them up to face Pool B winner, Belton.
The Panthers would have to return to the courts within an hour to begin the championship. “Not only was I impressed how fresh the players seemed in the fourth match of the weekend, but I felt they really started to play some of their best doubles of the weekend,” Coach Simonek. The Panthers would take a 5-2 lead against Belton after doubles. They would step-up and went after the tigers in the singles play, surrendering only one match. The Panthers finished off the tournament and championship with a 10-3 win over the Tigers. “It was a great start for us this weekend. We have a great group of players, with a lot of heart, Coach Simonek. The Panthers will play Robinson this Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at Robinson High School.