04/11/2008
Sports Editor
Waterville and Winthrop are two very young high school tennis teams. Both teams will more than likely play a sophomore at No. 1 singles and each made deep playoff runs a year ago.
Waterville was supposed to be in rebuilding mode last season, but a group led by strong doubles teams and two solid singles players led the Panthers to a 14-2 record, allowing Waterville to defend its Eastern Maine Class B title.
The majority of that roster returns this season, and still only has one senior in a significant role (Dana Merk-Wynn, who played No. 1 doubles last spring).
"What I'm really excited about is we have so many people back from last year," Waterville coach Donna Nale said, "we should be good for a couple more years."
The Panthers return their No. 1 singles player, Jen Nale, but she'll be challenged for that spot by Katherine Batten, who played No. 3 last season. The top doubles team of Merk-Wynn and Katie Jacobs is also back, though Nale said there will be competition for the No. 3 singles spot which could impact the Panthers doubles teams.
"I know the doubles teams really like knowing so much about each other," Nale said. "Everyone is open to what is best for the team, and open to what is best for each individual."
Winthrop, meanwhile, lost a few seniors from a team that lost just once last season, but has a very talented group of underclassmen. Sophomores Elaine Theriault and Kelsey Ouellette are competing for the No. 1 singles spot, while another sophomore, Shaina Camp, will battle two seniors, Joanna Blanck and Shaina Camp, for the No. 3 spot. As a freshman, Ouellette lost just once playing primarily No. 3 singles.
The Ramblers need to develop some younger players for their doubles teams, but coach Lou Gingras thinks the Ramblers will be tough.
"I think we'll go far," Gingras said. "We need to develop the younger kids to fill out the doubles, but we'll have a strong singles corp."
Winthrop will battle Boothbay and Wiscasset for the top spot in the Mountain Valley Conference. A veteran team at Hall-Dale also has the potential to get into the mix.
The Bulldogs are loaded with seniors, including No. 1 and 2 singles players Hannah Rau and Britta Olsen.
"We have a lot of experience and maturity," Hall-Dale coach Guy Cousins said. "Taking the next step is pretty important for them."
At Madison, Kailey Smith graduated and took her game to Emerson College. Cecil Thibodeau is now the Bulldogs' top player, and coach Kara Atwood feels the junior is ready to assume the role.
"She has a mean serve on her," Atwood said.
Freshman Lindsey Kandiko could contribute immediately, Atwood said.
Monmouth takes the court under the direction of first-year coach Jess Callahan.
In Class A, the Messalonskee girls lost Deahna Giguere, one of the best players in the state, to graduation. Audrey Knowlton and Lindsay Mathes will compete for the No. 1 singles spot. With 20 players out for the team, the Eagles hope to improve throughout the season.
The Mt. Blue girls were hit hard by graduation. Seniors Kelly Greene and Marina Iida, who were doubles partners last season, will vie for the top spot among the Cougars' singles players. Junior Meredith Allen and senior Kelsey Frechette also look to play singles this season. Ten freshman joined the team, and coach Judy Upham expects the younger players to contribute as the season progresses and they learn the game.
Cony has terrific numbers, with 30 girls trying out for the team. The Rams should be strong this spring with senior Chelsea Tobias and sophomore Blaire Burney back in top singles spots.
Gardiner, meanwhile, has seen its numbers rise thanks to new courts built at the school. The Tigers return their top two singles players, senior Kristen Marks and junior Jessica Ladner.
In Class B, Maranacook graduated its top three singles players and will look to build around junior Heather Black.
Winslow takes the court for the first time as a varsity program after four years as a club team. Erskine lost a couple of seniors from last year's squad but could be competitive with a veteran squad returning. Oak Hill reached the Western B prelims a year ago and returns the majority of that squad this spring, including No. 1 singles player Amy Nyberg.
Kents Hill lost six players to graduation but coach Jeff DeHaven hopes the Huskies can still be competitive in the Maine Association of Independent School's Athletic Directors conference.
Staff writers Travis Lazarczyk and Gary Hawkins contributed to this report
Scott Martin -- 621-5618
smartin@centralmaine.com
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