2023 girls tennis preview capsules

DIRIGO COUGARS
Coach: Kathy Crutchfield (10th year)
Class: C South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 4-7, lost in first round.
Returning athletes: Juniors — Lauren Tubbs, Ariana Gonzales, Eliza Amadei; Sophomores — Diana Cayer, Sylvia Hodson, Lauretta Woodhead.
Key losses: Abby Thibodeau (MVC second team), Bella Lindus (MVC honorable mention), Destiny Leclerc (Sun Journal second team), Kuyoki Sato (MVC honorable mention).
Promising newcomers: Jenna Gallant, Amelia Maillet, Sophie Poulin, Nyla Abbott.
Season outlook: The Cougars are looking to build on last season’s success despite losing four seniors. The young returners are determined to sharpen their skills and remain dedicated to the program.

EDWARD LITTLE RED EDDIES
Coach: Kirk Egge (first year)
Class: A South; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: 5-9, reached regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Senior — Mya Vincent; Juniors — Myesha Baker, Mariah Kirouac.
Key losses: Izzie Trombley, Mai Luu, Paige Morgan, Rhashya Kamal.
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Julie Carpentier, Amalie Oinonen; Sophomores — Leah Britting, Nora Condit, Ally Dumont, Anaya Egge, Alyssa Gallant, Carys Libby, Kabembo Mubaya, Nora Thompson, Carly Wang, Emma Meserve; Freshmen — Lola Cunningham, Katie Morgan, Kaelyn Thibodeau, Olivia Turgeon, Clara Wilson.
Season outlook: The Red Eddies’ newcomers will be counting on veteran players’ leadership and knowledge of the game to move forward this season. Senior Mya Vincent, last year’s Sun Journal Player of the Year, is seeking another deep run in the state singles tournament.

LEWISTON BLUE DEVILS
Coach: Lorraine Bowen (second year)
Class: A North; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: 6-8, reached regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Emma Omiecinski, Whitney Perkins; Juniors — Claudia Cucubica, Lexi Landry, Braelyn Cox, Nadifo Heban, Badia Aldhaibani, Emily Mortensen, Sahra Mohamed; Sophomores — Honora White, Celia Gagnon.
Key losses: Libby Forgues (Sun Journal first team), Nyziel Deng.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Mackenzie Garcia; Sophomore — Sarah Mack; Freshmen — Emonie Walton.
Season outlook: The Blue Devils are expecting a promising season but are still in a rebuilding phase.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY FALCONS
Coach: Tammy Brown (first year)
Class: C South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 3-9, reached regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Juniors — Ella Young. Abby Jones.
Key losses: Alana Young (MVC second team), Emily Richards (MVC second team).
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Olivia Pitcher, Neveah D’Angelo, Rhashya Hamel; Freshman — Ryleigh Taylor.
Season outlook: The Falcons are facing a rebuilding year, but they are hopeful with 10 players on the roster and only one senior.

MT. BLUE COUGARS
Coach: Griffin Conlogue (third year)
Class: A North; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: 9-4, reached regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Quintessa Marcotte, Ella Mayhew; Juniors — Gracie Ross, Jayla Cuesta; Sophomores — Emma Turcotte, Rebekah Deniok.
Key losses: Khloe Dean, Grace Bell (Sun Journal second team), Sadie McDonough, Anna Hyde (Sun Journal second team), Emma Charles (Sun Journal first team), Kamryn Joyce.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Madi Rutberg; Juniors — Katie Yeaton, Dasani Dupree, Amelie Eichler, Leonie Schubert, Anna Surkau; Freshman — Bella Duvall.
Season outlook: The Cougars lost six of their top eight players, but a couple strong starters are returning as well as several other athletes with plenty of exhibition experience. Although Mt. Blue is young and lacking experience, the Cougars want to remain competitive.

OAK HILL RAIDERS
Coach: Liz Tibbetts (11th year)
Class: C South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 1-10, lost in first round.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Ariana Thibeault, Julia Kranstrand; Juniors — Kadence Moulton, Nhi Nguyen, Sarah Rossignol, Destiny Samare.
Key losses: Alexis Spencer (MVC honorable mention), Jovannah McLaughlin, Alivia Savage.
Promising newcomers: Sophomore — Isabelle Greenleaf; Freshmen — Kiana Moran, Amanda Williams.
Season outlook: The Raiders are emboldened by the depth of their team. The athletes are following a demanding training schedule, with an eye on improving while still having fun.

OXFORD HILLS VIKINGS
Coach: Elizabeth Youngs (sixth year)
Class: A North; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: 0-12, lost in first round.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Anna Chaloult, Brianna Farrar, Anyah Fields, Evelyn LaCombe, Tori Lutz, Fiona Priola; Juniors — Zoe Annis, Lily Buck, Rayna Button, Brittany Compton, Ares Heath, Molly Kimball, Cora Pierce; Sophomores — Nanami Daggett, Ali Luksza, Lidia Melanson, Graycee Richardson.
Key losses: Sydney Youngs, Page Temple, Aila Pawlowski, Sage Hoyt.
Season outlook: With a strong turnout, featuring 17 returning players and 14 newcomers, there is an air of optimism for the Vikings this spring.

SPRUCE MOUNTAIN PHOENIX
Coach: Mary Redmond-Luce (third year)
Class: C South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 10-3, reached regional semifinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Ryleigh Castonguay, Emily Dubord; Juniors — Aubrey Kachnovich, Mary Hamblin.
Key losses: Leah Gilbert (Sun Journal second team), Kalia Godbey (MVC second team), Ella Plourde (Sun Journal first team).
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Liz Grondin, Salem Hughes; Sophomore — Riley Small; Freshmen — Grace Cuthbertson, Allie Farrington, Breeanna Hughes, Kordeja Manning.
Season outlook: Spruce Mountain is looking for a successful season, with six experienced players returning and newcomers who are well-rounded athletes who play multiple sports.

ST. DOM’S SAINTS
Coach: Andrew Girouard (ninth year)
Class: C South; Conference: WMC
Last year’s results: Played junior varsity schedule.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Lorelei Bonney, Kelsey Gagnon; Juniors — Rieslynn Bernier, Georgie Davidson, Anna Geyer-Shaheen, Avery Gravel.
Key losses: Bryana Archer, Jessica Zimmerman.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Abigail Mitchell; Junior — Nevaeh Poulin; Freshmen— Kyla Berube, Kendall Gravel.
Season outlook: After spending last season as a junior varsity squad, the Saints are back to competing at the varsity level and ready to demonstrate their improvements.

WINTHROP RAMBLERS
Coach: Lauren McHatten (2nd year)
Class: C South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 6-4, lost in regional quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Brooke Belz, Sophia Blanco, Emma Shuman, Aleah Childs; Junior — Kaitlyn Brito.
Key losses: Muriel Latin (MVC second team), Olivia Vance (MVC second team), Caroline Squires, Libby Wells.
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Alwil Ring, Akemi Ruiz Orte, Selma Adam, Elizabeth Roman; Sophomore — Riley Fyfe; Freshman — Madelyn Marx.
Season outlook: Seniors will have to step up to replace the four who graduated in 2022, and those veterans’ leadership roles should help newcomers improve this season.