Midway Takes Third Place at Georgetown Winter Invitational

            The Midway Panther Tennis Team took 3^rd place overall at the Georgetown Winter Invitational.  The Panthers came in just behind Midland Lee and Georgetown in field that was comprised of 22 teams.  “This was a great way for us to open up our spring schedule.  The players had put in an awesome month of practice and were mentally and physically ready to compete this weekend,” Coach Simonek. 

            Leading the way for the Panthers in Boys Singles was Zane Martindale.  Martindale finished 2^nd place in the Boys A Singles division.  Martindale opened up the tournament with a 10-1 victory over Killeen Ellison, in the Quarters he defeated Georgetown and in the semifinal he made quick work of Austin High.  Martindale lost a tough match in the final to Midland Lee 5-7, 2-6. 

            Also making a strong showing for the Boys Singles was Evan Harder, who made it to the semifinals in Boys Singles.  Harder would win his first too matches with ease and then would be in a dogfight in the semifinal match.  Harder would lose a tough back and forth match to Midland Lee 5-7, 4-6.  “I am extremely proud of Martindale and Harder.  They played very well this weekend and fought their way to the very end of their matches.  I know that they will only get better and better as the season moves forward,” Coach Simonek.

            The Boys also made strong showings in the doubles brackets.  John Hudson/Jake Brunton made it to the quarterfinals of A Doubles and John Seward/Ben McCarter made it to the quarterfinals of B Doubles.  “Our doubles teams have a lot of potential this spring.  They are all playing with new partners.  As we move forward into the season they will gel and will be a threat as we move to the playoffs,” Coach Simonek.

            The Lady Pantherettes started off the spring with a bang just as their counterparts did on the boys side.  Leading the way for the Pantherettes was the doubles tandem of Dunlap/Rivera, who finished in the semifinals of B Doubles.  Dunlap/Rivera started out with two solid wins over Harker Heights and Round Rock.  The tandem would lose a tough match in the semifinals to A&M Consolidated.  Also doing well in doubles was the tandem of Duke/Foster.  The senior doubles tandem made it to the quarterfinals of A Doubles before losing a tough match to Georgetown.  “These two teams work very hard at their doubles and will be a force to reckon with this spring,” Coach Simonek.

            The Pantherettes also had strong showings in the Girls singles divisions.  Lizze McCarter led the way with a quarterfinal finish in A Singles.  McCarter defeated Killeen and Temple to make it into the quarterfinals and then lost a grueling match to Corsicana.  “Lizzie did an awesome job of gutting out her match.  She lost the first set 4-6, but dug in and came back to win the second set 6-1 before losing the match in a tie-breaker.  I am very proud of her effort this weekend,” Coach Simonek.

            Rounding out the competition was Alex Foster, who made a great showing at her first Varsity tournament with a trip to the quarterfinals in B Singles.  “I am very proud of the team and all the work that they put in as they headed into this tournament.  As they continue their path to competitive greatness, they will be a force for anyone to face this spring.  I truly appreciate their work and dedication,” Coach Simonek.  The Panthers next tournament is Friday, February 13 & 14, 2004 in Ennis.