The sun seemed to know it was Senior Day for the Bonney Lake Panthers. Peeking out from behind the clouds, it delivered perfect tennis weather after a rainy surprise the day before. The timing couldn’t have been better as the Panthers took to their home courts for the last time this season, hosting the Graham-Kapowsin Eagles in a pivotal SPSL 4A league match. Both teams came in with similar standings, but for the Panthers, the stakes felt higher. With a record 12 seniors on the roster, this wasn’t just another match—it was a celebration, a chance to close out their home slate on a winning note.
And they didn’t disappoint. Backed by their senior-heavy varsity lineup, the Panthers swept the Eagles 5-0 in dominating fashion.
The tone was set early by #1 singles star Gavin Orozco, who came into the match undefeated. Facing Graham-Kapowsin’s Gavin Thompson, Orozco extended his flawless season with a confident 6-0, 6-2 victory, improving his record to 11-0. His win not only put the first points on the board but also set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
In #1 doubles, Thomas Howard and Jeremiah Mam teamed up against Luke Kinney and Jordan Vincent in a match that proved to be a solid battle. Howard’s dominance at the net was on full display, as his quick reactions and steadfast defense left little room for the Eagles to gain any momentum. The Panthers took the match 6-3, 6-4, securing another crucial point.
The Panthers’ #3 doubles pairing of Holden Mann and Cameron Frey, who had shown great potential in their previous match against Sumner, continued their strong play. Together for just the second time, Mann and Frey made quick work of Travis Hohn and Tylor Mallory, taking the match 6-1, 6-0. For Frey, this was just his second varsity match, but the duo’s chemistry and composure were undeniable as they breezed through.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Panthers, though. The #2 doubles match was a nail-biter, as Adam Quinto and Jarrett Sroka found themselves in a battle against Evan Butts and Ryan Kim. Down 1-4 in the first set, Quinto and Sroka rallied to take the set 7-5. The second set followed a similar script—down 4-5, the Panthers duo dug deep to win another 7-5 set and close out the match, much to the delight of their teammates and fans.
The final match of the day saw the only non-senior on the court, #2 singles player sophomore Cameron Munsch, take on Jacob Vivian. Munsch captured the first set in a close 7-5 battle, but Vivian responded, winning the second set 6-4 to force a 10-point tiebreaker. With the rest of the team and fans watching, Munsch held his nerve, winning the tiebreaker 10-8 to complete the sweep and put the exclamation mark on Senior Day.
But the celebration didn’t stop there. As the last point was scored, the Panthers Coach DeLapp fired up a full BBQ for both teams to enjoy. It was a fitting way to honor the 12 seniors who had poured so much into the program, as they laughed and played under the setting sun, taking in the final moments on their home courts. The torch is now passed to the younger players, but the memories of this special day—and this senior class—will last.
But the Panthers’ season isn’t over yet. With three more regular-season matches before the post season there’s still plenty of tennis left to play. Their next match is scheduled for Thursday, September 3rd, against Olympia—a match moved up to avoid the forecasted rain on Friday.
A big thank you goes out to the local businesses that made Senior Day extra special:
Orcha Wash
Mod Pizza
Red Robin
Chick-fil-A
Walmart
Target
Fred Meyer
Costco
Their support made the day one to remember for the Panthers and their families.
As the torch is passed to the younger players on the team, the future looks bright. But for now, Senior Day belongs to the Class of 2025.
Comments