2012 High School Tennis Overview

Boys’ tennis

Players to watch (alphabetically) – Zach Baillargeon, Spruce Mountain; Dan Berry, Spruce Mountain; Lucas Bonnevie, Mt. Blue; Garret Carver, Dirigo; Austin Christopher, St. Dom’s; Zack DeBlois, St. Dom’s; Ryan Flanagan, Mt. Blue; Denis Graef, Lewiston; Joe Greco, St. Dom’s; Jeremy Grignon, Dirigo; Bryan Hall, Lewiston; Evan Keating, Lisbon; Zak Kendall, Mt. Blue; Josh Turbide, Dirigo; Zack Turner, Lisbon; Brett Vallee, Lewiston.

Overview

A new coach and an entirely different team will have the Lewiston Blue Devils facing their first true rebuilding season in more than a decade this season. Coach Ron Chicoine leaves behind a legacy of eight state titles in nine seasons and a record blemished by only two match losses. Look for the team to take a step back after graduating more than 80 percent of the squad. And by step back, we mean the Devils will be in some much tighter matches this season, which they could still ultimately win. The KVAC as a whole is going through some rebuilding. Teams like Brunswick, Mt. Ararat, Bangor and Hampden, which have long had to play runner-up to Lewiston, will have a chance to break through. But it won’t be easy. Mt. Blue, meanwhile, continues to build a strong program under coach Stan Kuklinski. Adding some versatile, multi-sport athletes to the fold will help offset the loss of eight seniors. Edward Little will go into competition with a new coach, like its rival across the river. There’s still some climbing to do for this group, but they are in good shape moving forward.

In the MVC, the race for the top appears to be largely based on a quartet of teams — St. Dom’s, Dirigo, Monmouth and Lisbon. The Saints are in great shape, with a core of returning players along with a couple of emerging younger players who found their way up the ladder during the preseason. Dirigo’s special group of athletes moves into the spring season, and extends its reach to tennis. The Cougars will once again be a major factor, as will the Mustangs from Monmouth. Losing only one or two key cogs in the wheel, the Mustangs should once again be in the mix as tourney time rolls around. The Greyhounds will again be a formidable foe for any team, and Winthrop and Hall-Dale, with some top-end talent at singles, ought to make the rest of the MVC a bit nervous, as well.

Girls’ tennis

Players to watch (alphabetically) – Lindsey Allen, Spruce Mountain; Kirsty Beauchesne, Lewiston; Darby Beaulieu, Oak Hill; Lindsey Benoit, Mt. Abram; Katie Billings, Mtn. Valley; Amanda Bloss, Oak Hill; Morgan Bowen, Lewiston; Taylor Dickson, Mtn. Valley; Stephanie Garcia, Mtn. Valley; Sarah Giraldo, Lisbon; Gabby Green, Oak Hill; Nicole Jones, Lisbon; Paige LeBlond, Lewiston; Staci Plog, Mt. Abram; Bryanna Sult, Lisbon; Emily Taylor, Spruce Mountain.

Overview

Lewiston finds itself in another situation, similar to last season, where most of the top players are going to be new to their positions. The difference this time is that there are more newcomers than veterans, and while the Blue Devils will again be strong and a factor in every postseason discussion, the possibility exists more this season for a team to end Lewiston’s reign at the top of Eastern A. The first big test comes right out of the gate against top contender Brunswick, and challenges could come from a number of other teams in the KVAC, including Hampden. Edward Little will feel the sting of missing its top player and will look to fill in the depth with a handful of veterans and some newcomers.

Oak Hill would, at the outset, appear set to take a step back in Western B after losing four top players, but the Raiders’ singles’ ladder is solid, and with 22 girls on the team, the depth for intrasquad competition is perfect for fostering growth. The Western B power that is Falmouth should be the school to beat, statewide.

The MVC should feature an interesting season, as well, with traditional powers Winthrop and Dirigo still very much in the picture. St. Dom’s should be a strong out for anyone to have to deal with, as well, and Lisbon will be strong through the singles positions, while Spruce Mountain should make things interesting as it makes the transition to Class B.

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