Region II Tennis Tournament (Brunton/Hudson Regional Semi-Finalist)

    The Panther Tennis Team comes off a successful trip to the Region II Individual Tennis Tournament this past week, August 20 & 21, 2004.  "We took four qualifying entries this year and are starting to see more and more success in the Regional Tournament.  This is a true testament to the work that these players put into their tennis and the heart that they display on the courts," Coach Simonek.  Competing in the Regional Tournament were Zane Martindale (Singles), Brittany Dunlap/Magaly Rivera (Doubles), Ben McCarter/John Seward (Doubles) and Jake Brunton/Jonathan Hudson (Doubles).

    Leading the way at the Region II Tournament for the Panther Tennis Team was the doubles tandem of Jake Brunton/Jonathan Hudson.  Brunton/Hudson would reach the semi-finals of the Region II Tournament in the doubles division.  In the first round the tandem defeated Hale/Maxwell (Kilgore) 6-1, 6-4.  The tandem would move into the quarterfinal round and face the #4 Seed, Kinnamon/Houston (McKinney North).  "This was an unbelievable match that went back and forth for over three hours.  Brunton/Hudson did a great job of keeping their composure and digging out of tough situations when they were confronted by adversity," Coach Simonek.  Brunton/Hudson would prevail with the victory in three sets, 7-6, 5-7, 7-5. 

    The doubles tandem would move into the semi-finals and have to face Olson/Arvesen (Highland Park) after receiving a one-hour break.  "The toughest part of this match was coming off a three-set match and having the tanks be running on fumes.  Hudson/Brunton put everything they had into the match and I am very pleased with their accomplishments," Coach Simonek.  Brunton/Hudson did not have enough left in their reserves in the match and lost to the eventual 4A State Runner-ups 3-6, 3-6.

    Also doing well in the Boys Doubles was the tandem of Ben McCarter/John Seward.  McCarter/Seward opened up the Regional tournament with a victory over Larue/Liu (Pine Tree), 6-2, 6-1.  "These guys really came a long way in their doubles games this year.  They were committed to doing the right things and their success was well deserved," Coach Simonek.  McCarter/Seward would lose in the next round to the eventual 4A State Champions Chang/Plum (JJ Pearce) 1-6, 1-6.

    Zane Martindale led the way for the Panthers in singles this year and finished with a District 15-4A Championship.  "Zane has done a great job for the team.  He has been to Regionals all three years now and continues to improve and progress each year," Coach Simonek.  Martindale would draw a tough round opponent in the tournament, facing Kaleb Smith (Kilgore).  "The singles is so tough in our Region.  There are many solid players and first round matches are up to the luck of the draw," Coach Simonek.  Martindale would fight through a tough match, but came up just short of victory in a tough 6-3, 1-6, 3-6 defeat.  "I was really proud of Zane, he fought all the way to the end, but just came up a little short," Coach Simonek.

    Finishing out the competition at the Regional tournament for the Panther Tennis Team was the doubles tandem of Brittany Dunlap/Magaly Rivera.  "These ladies are doing such an awesome job for Midway.  They are receptive and commit to making the changes they need to address.  They will continue to excel and be a threat in this Region in the future," Coach Simonek.  The doubles tandem would have a tough draw and would lose a good match 0-6, 4-6 to the #5 seed, Nease/Jamshidi (Corsicana).

    This finished out an awesome spring season for the Panther Tennis Team that saw them finish 3rd or higher as a team in five out of six tournaments that they competed in.  "I am so pleased with the way this team continues to improve.  They work so hard and their efforts show in both the Fall and Spring seasons.  I am so excited about next year and the opportunities that wait for this team," Coach Simonek.