All eyes continue to be on Lewiston. The Blue Devils haven’t lost a match in nearly five full years, their last loss coming in the spring of 2003. The team is also working on five straight state titles. The last time Lewiston didn’t win a state title, the current seniors were in the sixth grade.

But, like all good things, the end has to come sometime. The best chance in recent memory for that is this season. Mt. Ararat gave Lewiston a run last season, and the Eagles return all but one player to their roster this time around. With an all-but-guaranteed win at No. 1 thanks to returning Maine champion Mike Hill, Mt. Ararat may even have a chance to upend Lewiston three times this season.

A shift in scheduling will keep Hampden and Bangor – two traditional powers – away from Lewiston this season, which could alter the seedings come early June. Clearly, though, Mt. Ararat, Lewiston and Bangor will be the teams to beat this season, with Brunswick also giving the Blue Devils a test.

Mt. Blue jumps back into the fray this season, and gave a good fight against Hampden in an early-season encounter. This is the Cougars’ first foray back into KVAC boys’ tennis in a while.

Edward Little continues its slow rebuild process, and will look to improve on last year’s 1-10 finish.

KVAC A Girls

The two-time defending state champion Lewiston Blue Devils are primed for another trip to the state title game.

This shouldn’t surprise many folks, considering the program’s recent pedigree. While the road won’t be as easy as this might make it sound, the talent is definitely there.

Last year, No. 1 singles player Chantalle Lavertu made it to the state semifinals of the individual tourney, and she is about as close to an automatic win in every match as you can get. Twins Julia and Audrey Bergeron will make a solid 2-3 punch at singles, and a couple of reloaded doubles teams should keep the Devils on top.

Mt. Ararat always seems to have something to say about that, and the Eagles might be ready for a resurgence after a rare down year last season. Messalonskee lost plenty of talent from last year’s No. 2 squad, and Brunswick should again be the Devils’ biggest challenge.

In the north, Hampden Academy has a solid lineup, and could make things interesting come playoff time.

MVC Boys

If Dirigo is going to repeat its 12-0 performance from last season, the Cougars are going to have to earn it. Dirigo returns just two of its top seven varsity players from one year ago, but Coach Thompson is excited that most of his players earned some sort of varsity experience last year anyway. Lisbon, which suffered its lone defeat at the hands of Dirigo last season, will likely be once again one of the top teams and perhaps be making its own run at 12-0. The Greyhounds have some solid veterans returning.

Wiscasset, at 10-2 last season, will be tough again, while Jay has the most potential to improve this year. The Tigers, 6-6 a year ago, have a solid returning lineup.

Madison has a couple of big guns coming back, and Winthrop has the premier player in the MVC in Nick Ochtman at the top of its solid lineup. Mountain Valley and Monmouth, at 6-6 last year as well, still have some work to do in this ultra-competitive conference, but could steal some matches along the way.

MVC Girls

Winthrop’s only loss last season came to Boothbay, and the two schools appear destined to duke it out at the top again. The Ramblers have a good, young core of players, while Boothbay continues to reload year after year with its solid program.

Last season, Hall-Dale, Madison and Wiscasset all won nine of 12 matches, and were all very evenly matched. Madison will likely be at least as strong again.

Dirigo has to rebuild the top of its order, but should be good for at least seven wins again to match last year’s total. Monmouth will play a solid spoiler role, building off a .500 finish a year ago, and Jay is hoping to improve upon its four wins.