In a year full of ups and downs, the young Lady Panthers concluded their tennis season.
Montezuma-Cortez High School placed sixth out of 12 teams at the 4A, Region 8 championships in Grand Junction last week.
Lady Panthers coach Dan Wood felt his best performance came from the No. 1 doubles team of Charley Stewart and Emily Walck. The duo scored wins over Vail, 7-5, 6-0, and Roaring Fork, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5.
The Roaring Fork win was especially impressive, because the girls came back from a first set loss to win two sets in a row, Wood said.
Stewart and Walck then lost a tough match to rival Durango, 4-6, 3-6.
In singles action, No. 1 player Kristin Parker beat Cedaredge, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2, and then lost to Steamboat Springs, 0-6, 0-6. At No. 2 singles, Sadee Threlkeld notched a win over Hotchkiss, 6-0, 6-2, and then fell to Glenwood Springs, 6-4, 0-6, 2-6. Nicole Demby, a freshman, had a bye in the first round and then lost to a strong Steamboat Springs opponent, 2-6, 3-6, in No. 3 singles play.
At No. 2 doubles, the team of Mary Wright and Jessica Quinonez beat Montrose, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4, and then were beaten by Aspen, 3-6, 2-6. No. 3 doubles saw Amanda Haukeness and Jaci Veach fall to Roaring Fork, 2-6, 3-6. Raena Concklin and Samantha Woyewodzic lost a heartbreaker to Vail, 0-6, 6-3, 5-7.
(I) was very satisfied with the teams performance over the year, Wood said. Especially, considering their work ethic, their laughter and their friendships.