The true measure of any team is its ability to handle adversity – especially after an early loss in the season.

That certainly describes the Lewiston girls’ tennis team which reversed direction and got back on the winning track by shutting out Mt. Blue prior to vacation.

It was actually the second meet for the Blue Devils who suffered a 3-2 loss to Mt. Ararat three days earlier.

The season opener was quite noteworthy because it was the defending regional champions first regular-season loss since 2000.

“I was very happy to see the girls bounce back to beat Mt. Blue, 5-0,” Lewiston coach Anita Murphy said. “We still have a lot of room for improvement. I don’t want the girls to think that we can coast the rest of the season, as we need to keep improving.”

Lewiston has featured solid doubles tandems in the past, but this season the partners will be tested to uphold the Devils’ tradition.

Roxanne Healey is the only returning player with experience at doubles.

Katie Nadeau is a partner on the No.1 doubles team and her strengths include having an excellent volley.

The doubles teams are not completely locked in because of challenge matches. The players have aspirations of moving up the ladder.

Katelyn Ouellette & Ashley McWhorter have been at No. 2 doubles.

“Katelyn and Ashley are very serious and mature players for being only freshmen,” Murphy said. “They both play well together and seem to be comfortable with each other on the court. I’m quite pleased with both doubles team and I feel both could play at 1 and 2 doubles. “

Murphy has always stressed the importance of having strong doubles and this year is no exception. The tandems are the foundation of a good tennis team.

Adding to the depth is Jessica Roy who has recently been cleared to play, but will only be able to play doubles this season.

The sophomore had injured an ACL.

The singles consist of three senior co-captains. Alli Bleakney was at third singles last season, while Beth Melanson and Amanda Bergeron were each successful doubles players.

Sad losses

It’s been an emotional period for Murphy and her son, Ron Chicoine, who is the Lewiston boys’ coach.

Murphy’s mother passed away two weeks ago, and last week Chicoine’s grandfather died.

He is the father of former Lewiston coach Rene Chicoine.

Ron Chicoine was with the team in Hilton Head, S.C. and flew home for the funeral. Our sincere condolences are extended to both families.

Different priorities

There will be an interesting meet at Academy Hill in Wilton Wednesday afternoon between Edward Little and Mt. Blue, but each team will enter the meet with different agendas.

Edward Little will be anxious to unveil its starting lineup for the first time in competition. The Red Eddies were shutout twice in meets last week, however, several players were on vacation. This adversely effected the ladder rotations, but Adam Platt will return at No. 1 singles. Andrew Knapp, Charlie Orne, Brian Gleason, Nate Guerette and Ryan Goss will each figure in the mix.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Mt. Blue coach John Schoen said.

“We know that Edward Little will be ready, but at the same time it should provide us with a better indication of where we stand in the KVAC.”

Mt. Blue stands at 1-1 after regrouping to beat Skowhegan 3-2 in a tight meet. The Cougars needed to get on the winning track following a loss against Lewiston in the season opener.

Another issue will be the clay courts because the texture of the playing surface usually provides some interesting bounces.

The trio of clay courts are believed the only ones still used in high school competition.

“The kids from other teams who play on them enjoy it,” Schoen said. “It’s different, the balls don’t always bounce true. It requires some adjustments, but it’s easier on the body, especially the knees because you are able to slide into the balls and return them.”