Panther Tennis

Moves to 10-3 on the Season

            The 10^th ranked Panther Tennis Team moved to 10-3 on the season with an 11-0 victory over the Wharton Tigers and a hard fought loss to the Montgomery Bears 7-11.  “Our players put in an amazing week at practice.  This work that they are putting in is making an amazing transition to the match court.  There are five weeks left until Regionals and I am so fired-up to see where this team will be at that time,” Coach Simonek. 

            The Panthers opened Saturday, September 22, 2007, with an 11-0 victory over the Wharton Tigers.  The Panthers started the morning sweeping the doubles matches 7-0.  “Our players did a fantastic job in the doubles this morning.  Even in matches where we started a little slow, we stepped up and took the 2^nd and 3^rd sets,” Coach Simonek.  The Panthers fell behind a set in #2 and #3 women’s doubles.  North/Curry and Amos/Becker would not back down after losing the opening set.  Both doubles teams played with determination and to give their team the early 7-0 lead.

            The Panthers would continue the momentum into the singles play, led by the men’s and Women’s #1 singles players.  “We have great leadership at the top of both of our line-up and great depth.  Our Men are led at top by Frankie Allinson (2007 State Quarterfinalist) and Lindsey Harrell (2007 Region II Quarterfinalist).  They set a great standard for singles play as our Panthers hit the courts in singles,” Coach Simonek.  The Panthers would storm the courts in singles and quickly take the first four matches that came off of the courts. 

            The Panthers would next face Montgomery, the defending Champions for Team Tennis in Region III.  “Montgomery is a strong program and should repeat as the Region III State representative.  We were very excited about facing them Saturday,” Coach Simonek.  The Panthers were looking forward to the high level doubles they would face against the Bears.  “Montgomery spends a lot of time on doubles and Coach Moore is known for the doubles players he develops,” Coach Simonek.  The doubles matches would go back and forth between the Panthers and the Bears.  The bears would eventually take a 3-4 lead after Doubles play.  “We take a lot of confidence out of the doubles.  Our doubles teams are right on track for where they need to be this season.  We lost a couple of the matches in tie-breakers for the third set.  I have total confidence in our players winning those matches if the third sets were played out,” Coach Simonek. 

            Leading the Panthers in doubles was the Mixed-Doubles tandem of Ben Gilbert/Jessica Sawyer.  “We have always had a strong tradition of mixed doubles in the past.  These two players have done an amazing job this year of stepping in and carrying on the tradition of mixed-doubles.  These two are a huge cornerstone to our doubles play,” Coach Simonek.

            The Panthers and Bears would battle in each and every singles match.  “There were matches on nine courts that were going to tie-breakers and third sets.  It was a great competition and our players development showed on all levels on the court,” Coach Simonek.  Frankie Allinson would pull through an early singles win that helped the Panthers close the gap.  “Frankie does a great job of making adjustments and winning matches.  Even after losing a tough set against the bears, he continued to battle and pull a big win through for his team,” Coach Simonek.

            The Panthers would fight to the end, but the bears would close out a great match with a 11-7 win.  “We know that we missed a few opportunities in this match.  Our players are very determined to play Montgomery again and I know that the Bears better watch out for the heart and determination of the Panthers,” Coach Simonek.