LEWISTON – Anita Murphy wanted her team to be challenged Tuesday, but Amanda Bergeron probably got more than she or her coach bargained for.

While Lewiston cruised to an impressive 4-1 win over Brunswick in a battle of two of the top Eastern A girls’ tennis teams, Bergeron didn’t have it quite so easy.

The Blue Devils’ third singles player went three sets before losing a grueling match to Lindsay Hammond.

“I think each point just kept going and going,” said Bergeron, who hadn’t faced three sets all year and had been unbeaten. “It was whoever could last out the point. I got tired, and she lasted longer.”

The rest of the Lewiston squad had finished up the victory before Bergeron and Hammond began their decisive third set. After a narrow 3-2 victory over Messalonskee on Monday in which Bergeron’s win proved decisive, the Blue Devils got a pair of wins in doubles play and convincing victories from Alli Bleakney and Beth Melanson in singles.

“We were excited to play them because I wanted my girls to see how they would do,” said Murphy, whose team beat Brunswick in the regional final last spring. “I wanted them to be tested against a good team.”

Lewiston (8-1) was ranked third in the latest Heal Points, behind Brunswick (7-2) and top-ranked Mt. Ararat.

“We knew it would be hard because we heard that Messalonskee had lost to them 5-0,” said Lewiston doubles player Roxanne Healey. “We were all worked up and nervous about it.”

Bleakney cruised in No. 1 singles, beating Elise Fitzgerald 6-0 and 6-1.

“The girl that Alli beat is a seeded player in the KVAC,” said Murphy. “She was the more patient one. She had good placement and placed it on the corners, and the girl couldn’t get to it. She changed the pace a lot which kind of throws your game off.”

In second singles Beth Melanson won her first set 6-4 and then had to endure a 7-5 win in the second set against Courtney Hammond.

“If I were to name a most improved player, she would probably get it,” said Murphy. “She played great today. She hung in there. Last year, she would have lost it. She would have given up and gotten angry at herself and defeated herself.”

Healey and Katie Nadeau teamed up to win the first doubles match 6-3 and 6-2.

“Me and Katie have played better matches, but when either of us gets worked up, we play to each other’s weaknesses,” said Healey. “We make up for each other’s mistakes.”

The undefeated doubles team of freshmen Katelyn Ouellette and Ashley McWhorter kept their record perfect with a hard-earned win, 7-6, 6-1.

All that was left was Bergeron’s endurance test that lasted two-and-a-half hours. After winning the first set 6-3, Hammond came back to win the second set 6-4. Bergeron got down early and couldn’t muster the energy to overcome the 6-0 loss in the final set.

“I guess it came down to the mental game,” said a weary Bergeron. “I didn’t hold up as well as I’d have liked to, but I think it was a really good learning experience. I think I’ll benefit from it in the playoffs.”

Lewiston lost its first two singles players from a year ago. Only Bleakney, in singles, and Healey, in doubles, return in familiar roles. Bergeron and Melanson were both doubles players last year.

“I’m really pleased with the way the girls are playing,” said Murphy. “They’ve really pulled together.”

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