By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

The Lewiston girls have new players blending in with the veterans, but the competitive nature should bring out the best.

The veterans, though, are adjusting from doubles to singles.

Senior captain Roxanne Healey opened the season as the number one singles player. Katelyn Ouellette and Ashley McWhorter will be at second and third singles. Healey played first doubles last year, while Ouellette and McWorther were undefeated at second doubles.

Murphy’ biggest concern is the inexperience of her singles trio, but the longtime coach has confidence that they will surprise themselves.

A major strength will be the first doubles of Katie Nadeau & Jessica Roy. These partners have the potential to be one of the strongest doubles team in the KVAC.

“I feel our doubles teams can play with anyone and they will get stronger as the season progresses,” Murphy said.

The Blue Devils are banking on receiving a spark from a pair of freshmen at second doubles. Twin sisters Audrey and Julia Bergeron are doing extremely well in their position. Ashley Couture and Ann Danforth are contending for positions on the ladder.

Lewiston went 12-2 last year, with 3-2 losses to defending Class A state champion Mt. Ararat. The Eagles, who lost only one starter (a doubles player), beat the Blue Devils 3-2 last week.

Across the Androscoggin River, Edward Little needs consistency, and the return of coach Eli Irland should help. The the success of singles players Christine Chamberland, Sarah Ross and Alyssa Bellfleur will be key.

Elizabeth Mitchell is senior captain at No. 3 singles. Doubles include Alyssa Bellefleur and Rory Chisolm-Drane, and Jamie Bourgoin and Torri Eustis at No. 1 doubles.

Mt. Blue will struggle against the top teams, but should be competitive with the second tier. Rebecca Shoen, Malina Dumas and Lily Hanstein played singles in a loss at Lewiston.

Teams of concern in the Mountain Valley Conference will be Dirigo, Wiscasset and Winthrop.

Dirigo returns a solid doubles tandem in senior Mallory Child and junior Michelle Hamann, who were 9-3 last year at second doubles. The partners will need to step up even more since last year’s other doubles team is playing other sports. Allison Roy and Amy Gould will fill in.

“That leaves me with less experience, but some young enthusiasm and athleticism,” Dirigo coach Art Chamberlin said. “The question is, do I keep them together and move them into first, or use some experience in each doubles pair with a couple of sophomores?”

The Cougars’ singles are set with seniors Jenn Harvey (6-6), Ryanne Brown (5-7) and Lindsey Kerr (8-4).

Jay returns one player who played full-time last year. Kasey Simoneau has moved up from second doubles.

The No. 3 singles will be either Ashley Uhuad or twin sister Kristen Uhuad. Both siblings played exhibition matches last year

The top doubles team consists of seniors Kristen Simoneau and Michele Munson. Katie Mastine and Kristen Ferland have the inside track at No. 2 doubles.

“My main concern is that the lack of match play will be a factor at the beginning of the season,” said Jay coach Denise Brown. “I believe the team has great potential and will steadily improve.”

Mountain Valley’s lone returnee, Chelsie O’Connell, is going from doubles to No. 1 singles. A group of freshmen and sophomores are just learning the game.