By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

The faces may have changed over the years, but Lewiston continually finds success in doubles.

Katie Nadeau and Jessica Roy are just the latest successful tandem on the Lewiston girls’ tennis team. Their long-standing relationship has been equally rewarding off the court, as well.

Combining any pair of talented players doesn’t guarantee that the duo will find success. It usually requires two partners with personalities, who are willing to feed off each other.

“I feel that it’s easier playing doubles,” Nadeau said. “I know that if I mess up out on the court, then Jess will be there. We’re good friends and it has fun playing together.”

A degree of trust between both players is required to compensate the flow of a game. This could be a short return or a long volley to the baseline, so it’s imperative to watch each other’s back.

Nadeau and Roy won their eighth straight match Monday.

“They make a great combination for doubles,” Lewiston coach Anita Murphy said. “They both hit the ball very solidly and are capable of placing their shots and set each other up at net for the put-away shots. Katie can run down balls with little effort.”

“We’ve been successful so far,” Roy said. “Katie and I have been friends for a long time. If a friendship doesn’t exist between partners, I believe it would be a lot harder. There needs to be a good chemistry.”

Roy saw limited court time last spring because of an ACL injury. She still wears a brace to help protect her knee.

“I’ve always been interested in playing doubles,” Roy said. “While growing I really wasn’t aware about the Lewiston program, but once I was in high school, I realized just how big the doubles tradition really is.”

Lewiston doubles dominated the SMAA throughout the 1990s. The Devils won 11 straight crowns, and it wasn’t uncommon to see both doubles tandems facing each other in the championship match.

Success has continued in the KVAC.

Nadeau and Roxanne Healey were finalists in the 2004 KVAC doubles, while Nadeau and Roy reached the KVAC semifinals last month. The Blue Devils top duo had defeated Mt. Ararat’s Christie Rodgers and Chelsea Annese in the first meet of the season, but the Eagles tandem prevailed in the second meeting.

“We communicate well together,” Nadeau said. “We’ll see how the other players warm-up and talk it over. This allows us to develop a strategy.”

The Blue Devils also have high hopes for freshmen twin sisters Julie and Audrey Bergeron, who are unbeaten at second doubles. They are challenged in prtactice by the No. 3 team of Ashley Couture and Ann Danforth.

Last year’s doubles combo of Katelyn Ouellette and Ashley McWorther, who went unbeaten last spring, are currently playing No. 2 and No. 3 singles.

Nadeau and former partner Healy won 12 of 14 matches in 2004. Healey is playing No.1 singles this year.

Success on the court has followed Nadeau, Roy and Healey in the classroom as all three are members of the National Honor Society. Nadeau and Roy each volunteer with the Special Olympics.

The boys have been equally successful. Nick Bonnefant won the KVAC title last spring and repeated this year with new partner Dave Labonte. Bonnefant, who also won an SMAA doubles crown, has lost one match in two years for the two-time defending Class A state champions.