The Maine Principals Association regular season in tennis ended last week, with several Mid-coast region squads advancing to the postseason.

Girls

Much to head coach Rob Manter’s delight, the Brunswick High School girls have exceeded all expectations with a 12-0 record, including two victories over longtime state challenger Lewiston, a year-in, and year-out nemesis.

In Eastern Maine Class A, the Dragons are atop the standings at 12- 0 with a Tournament Index of 169.44, with Hampden (11-1, 150.00) second and Lewiston (10-2, 127.778) in third.

“Our realistic goal coming in was to be competitive,” said Manter. “After losing five of seven starters off of last year’s team, I was unsure just how competitive we would be, but I knew we would be good.

“The uniqueness of this group is their camaraderie. Everyone has complete respect and a good rapport with everyone else. Junior Gillian Ford was a starter as a freshman, back from a year abroad. Senior Alexa Rivers has as much determination to be successful as anyone, while co-captain senior Hannah Wright and sophomore Leah Soloway are returnees from last year’s squad.

“Hannah Bobker, coming out for tennis for the first time as a junior has been very strong, and sophomore Samiera MacMullen is up from last year’s jayvee squad. The doubles brigade has been very strong and has only lost one match all season.”

Last year, Brunswick beat Lewiston twice during the regular season and also in the KVAC Championships, only to lose in the Eastern Maine finals.

“I am trying to remind this team that any team is capable of beating any other team on a given day,” offered Manter. “Like last year’s team, two of the matches favor us with Lewiston, but the other three matches are all very competitive.

“Anything can happen. The girls are really excited about getting to the playoffs, so I think their focus and discipline is good.

“Hampden, I am sure is good and they lost to Lewiston 4-1 in the only common match that might give us a sense of them. As for Lewiston, they are always tough, and they know how to compete. If we meet them in the playoffs, it will be in the Eastern Maine finals.”

Leading the way this spring has been individuals players Maisie Silverman (12-0), Ali Stankiewicz (12-0) and Laura Pavitt (8-4), while in doubles play, Rivers is 10-1, Ford 9-0, Soloway 8-0, MacMullen 5-0, Bobker 6-0 and Wright 6-0.

Mt. Ararat girls

Sheila Bohlin’s Mt. Ararat girls are playing today at Brewer to avoid Senior Night on Thursday.

The Eagles finished with a 6-6 record and 55.556 TI, good enough for fifth place. Mt. Ararat takes on the No. 4 Witches (8-4, 91.667) in the quarterfinals.

Top individuals have been Sarah Hill (9-3), Anna Rohman (8-3) and Amanda Levesque (4-8).

“My goal is always to build a team that is competitive, loves to play the game and supports each other throughout the season,” said Bohlin. “I believed we had a good chance to go far this season with the strength of our seasoned singles players and a large group of young players who are improving as doubles teams.

“Over the years I have learned that 16 is a good maximum number of players to have on a team, since only seven play varsity and Mt. Ararat does not have a jayvee tennis coach. This year, so many dedicated players returned from last year and so many freshman with talent and potential tried out, it was clear that the team would be larger. Balancing numbers at practice has been challenging, but with the help of the seniors and recent visits by Linda Fogg, a Mt. Ararat graduate and player, I have seen growth in all players.”

A special season

“This season has been very special for a number of reasons,” offered Bohlin. “I have four seniors who have been with the team since they were freshman. Every time they go out to play a match, I wonder what I will do without their spirit and leadership next year. That said, there are the underclassmen who continue to remind me why tennis is such a magnificent game both mentally and physically.

“To see all of them compete and work through the strategy, the ups and downs mentally, pushing themselves to get to deep lob or hit a well-placed overhead … those are the moments I remember most from a season. Winning is wonderful, and we are always striving to play our best and give our all. I want players to play their best and understand how to accept defeat graciously.

“ Earlier this season, Anna Rohman lost a three- setter to a Lewiston player. When they met the second time, Anna defeated her in straight sets 6-1, 6-2.

“Sarah Hill has had an amazing season, adapting her game when necessary, and staying focused against players who return every shot with little pace.”

Bohlin likes what she sees in the Brunswick girls.

“I believe Brunswick is poised to be state champions, although we plan to put on a good challenge if we get to meet them in the next round. With strong number-one and number-two players, a very competitive numberthree, and depth in doubles, it would have to be an exceptional team from the West to take them down. They are also a wonderfully humble and likable team. Great line calls, fair and fun.”

In girls action today and tomorrow, these are the quarterfinal matchups: Eastern Maine Class A has No. 5 Mt. Ararat (6-6) at No. 4 Brewer (8-4), 3 p.m. today and No. 8 Messalonskee (3-9) at No. 1 Brunswick (12-0), 3 p.m., on Thursday.

In Western Maine Class C, No. 5 Lisbon (8-4) visits No. 4 St. Dom’s (8-3) on Thursday.

In Eastern Maine Class A boys, No. 5 Messalonskee (7-5) is at No. 4 Brunswick (9-3) Thursday at 3 p.m.

In Western Maine Class B boys on Thursday, No. 7 Freeport (4-8) visits No. 2 Lincoln Academy (12-0) at 3:30 p.m., and No. 5 Morse (7-5) goes to No. 4 Maranacook (10-2).

In Western Maine Class C boys, No. 7 Lisbon (7-5) is entertained by No. 2 Dirigo (10-2). In a Western C girls prelim, Wiscasset and Monmouth are tied, 1-1, with the match slated to be concluded today.