Panther Tennis Takes

2^nd Place at Texas High Team Tennis Tournament

            The 12^th ranked Panther Tennis Team (9-1) took second place in the Texas High Team Tennis Tournament this weekend, September 7^th-8^th.  “Our players are doing a fantastic job preparing for this season.  They have a great passion for the game and putting out their best effort on the practice court and the game court,” Coach Simonek.  The Panthers have opened the season with a first place finish in the Midway Team Tournament and now second place in the Texas High Team Tournament. 

            The Panthers opened the Texas High Tournament by going undefeated in their pool play on Friday, September 7, 2007.  The Panthers started the tournament with a 14-2 win over Van and finished Friday with a 15-0 shut-out of Sulpher Springs.  The Panthers were led by their outstanding doubles line-up, giving up a total of 6 games total between the three teams.  (Fernandez/Kilgo won 6-1, 6-0, Allinson/Guerra won 6-0, 6-1, and Harrell/Bessellieu won 6-1, 6-3).  “Fernandez/Kilgo are the returning District Champs and have a lot of great experience as a doubles team.  They are 7-2 on the season and will continue to get better and be a dominating part of our line-up,” Coach Simonek.

            The Pantherettes and Mixed Doubles were equally impressive, going a combined 6-2 on the first day.  Leading the Pantherettes and mixed were: Harrell/Lee, North/Curry, Amos/Becker, and the mixed were led by Gilbert/Sawyer.  “Our Pantherettes are doing an awesome job this year.  These are all new doubles pairings and they have started off very strong.  It is really exciting to think of how well al of them will be playing together at the end of the season,” Coach Simonek.

            The Panther Tennis Team would move into Saturday undefeated and face the only other team in their pool without a loss, top 20 ranked Lindale.  “We knew this was going to be a great match.  Lindale has great kids that have a lot of heart.  They also do a fantastic job in doubles play.  Our players stepped-up and were relentless to take a lead in the doubles,” Coach Simonek.  The Panthers would claw their way to a 5-2 lead over the Eagles after doubles play.  A major part of this lead came from Allinson/Guerra and Gilbert/Sawyer digging back from a set down to come back and win their doubles matches in three-sets.

            The Panthers would continue to battle in every singles match.  “Our players were so inspiring this morning.  No matter what the score was at the end of the match, they put it all out on the courts.  Winning matches and solidifying the win against Lindale were Frankie Allinson, Kolby Kilgo, Mitch Guerra, Bryan Bessellieu, and Lindsey North.  “Lindsey North showed a lot of senior Leadership in this match and all of the matches she played this weekend, coming back twice in matches from a set down to win in three-sets,” Coach Simonek.  The Panthers would finish the match with a 10-6 win over the Lindale Eagles.  This would set-up a match with the winner of pool A 9^th ranked Texas high. 

            The Panthers would come-up short against the Tigers in the Championship match.  “This was a great weekend for us.  We are so excited about where we are heading this season.  Even though the Tigers were ahead in match count, our players won matches with heart and effort.  Everyone put everything they had on the court.  This is what is going to make this team awesome this year,” Coach Simonek.  The Panthers make a quick turn around, traveling to Round Rock on Tuesday to face 5A Austin Westwood.