GORHAM — The Thornton Academy girls tennis team ended its regular season with a loss on Wednesday evening, as the Trojans fell 3-2 to Scarborough at the USM Field House in Gorham.
But unlike the past three years, the Trojans’ season isn’t over, because for the first time in any of the players’ careers, they have made the playoffs.
A season removed from a 2-10 campaign, Thornton finished this season 10-2, with the losses coming against last year’s regional finalists, Scarborough and Portland.
Needless to say, this has been a special season, according to head coach Randy Hibbard.
“The record states it. It’s nice,” said Hibbard. “Last year, everyone was new at a singles spot. It was a learning year for them. This year, everybody was returning, all but one doubles player.
“I knew there was definitely some talent coming back. I probably would not have predicted 10-2. I would have said maybe an 8-4 or 7-5 mark I probably would have been happy with.”
The Trojans returned the bulk of its seven-player varsity squad, but did add freshman Eva Sachs at No. 1 singles and junior Katie Senechal at No. 1 doubles.
Sachs lost just four matches all year and qualified for the state singles tournament. While she is new to the high school scene, she plays year-round, and Hibbard said she doesn’t play like a freshman.
Senior co-captain Alyssa DeMario, the only senior who is a regular player, called Sachs “unreal,” and said her addition to the team was a boost for the other players.
The Trojans got a boost from another underclassman, sophomore Grace Pickering at No. 3 singles, who rallied to win a three-set match against the Red Storm to finish 11-0 this season (she missed the Portland match).
“Even though she was not hugely successful last year, she learned more in her losses, and took from that,” Hibbard said of Pickering.
Thornton didn’t drop an individual match until falling 5-0 in the fourth match of the year. The Trojans won three more matches 5-0 the rest of the way, and two others 4-1.
Wednesday’s regular-season finale was decided quickly, as the Red Storm won the first three completed matches, but the Trojans battled hard, improving in the second set of all three losses.
The No. 1 doubles team of Senechal and Ashley Houp dropped their opening set to Alyssa Hulst and Bryce Nitchman 6-1, but nearly pushed the match to a deciding third set before falling 7-6 (7-3) in the second.
“They made huge adjustments,” said Hibbard, talking about his doubles team ”“ and his team in general. “That puts faith in me that they’re listening to me; they’re still learning. I love it, because they’re coachable.”
Sachs and DeMario both lost in straight sets, to Megan Nathanson and Laura Henny, respectively, but showed improvement in their second sets.
Pickering went the distance against Hayley Lawsure, dropping the first set 3-6 before rallying with 6-3 and 7-5 set wins, thus completing her undefeated regular season.
The No. 2 doubles team of Emily Harris and Emily Ribaudo won in straight sets to round out the night.
“They’ve learned that they can play with them,” Hibbard said of facing the Red Storm, “and that’s the key.”
“Just to play against them, and actually know that we have a chance against them, is a good feeling,” said DeMario.
The Trojans now move onto the playoffs, a place none of the players has been before. DeMario said it will be a learning experience for all the players, but for her personally, it’s also a reward.
“It’s an awesome feeling. I feel like I’ve succeeded,” said DeMario. “All the hard work I’ve done for four years has paid off.”
“It will be interesting. They’re pretty relaxed kids. I don’t think the pressure’s going to get to them at all,” said Hibbard. “Quarterfinals would be nice. I would love semifinals; it would be just ridiculous for this program.”
Ridiculous is an apt word for Hibbard’s team, as some might have called a 10-2 season for the Trojans just that a couple months ago. But here they are, in the playoffs and a contender, pretenders no more.
— Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323 or sports@journaltribune.com. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.
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