When the Greyhounds last hoisted a state championship trophy, Chase Collier, Bree Daigle and Kate Philbrick were in middle school, dreaming of their chance to do the same.
Four years later, all three are ready to give it one last, good shot.
“It’s nerve wracking, but it’s also such a huge hunger for us, as seniors,” Daigle said.
And while Daigle and Collier skirted the thought of making it back to the big game, Philbrick dove right in.
“I really, really want to win states this year,” Philbrick said. “I wish we would have won my sophomore year.”
The near miss still drives them, though that hunger manifests itself differently in each senior.
“They all have really good leadership qualities,” head coach Julie Petrie said. “They work for everything they have, they’re three of the hardest workers on our team. They know that I just want them to go out and give it everything they’ve got.”
That innate desire to win when it matters unites them, but what separates them makes them — and the team — even stronger. While Philbrick played on the front line as a sophomore — she led the team in scoring that year — she has settled into a midfield role, jumping up on the play when necessary but also keeping a watchful eye on opposing offenses.
“Because she is such a force in the middle, that’s definitely her place. Not a lot gets by Kate,” Petrie said.
Daigle is also in the midfield, but will almost always have an eye on the back line, rather than on scoring goals.
“Kate and I are both on (penalty) corners, too,” Daigle said, “but she’s definitely more attacking than I am, and I’m more defensive than she is, and it’s such a huge balance on the field, too. With Chase up front, with her experience there, it helps everyone.”
Collier has been a flash up front for the Greyhounds since her freshman season. Her speed poses problems for defenses, and her ability to lead will help others develop not only that speed, but the timing to execute those runs properly.
“It helps that we all play different positions and we can spread it out,” Philbrick said.
Off the field, though, camaraderie and being together replaces being spread out.
“They’re just sweet kids,” Petrie said, “and they’re fun, they’re pretty laid back, but they work hard. They’re not lazy, that’s for sure.”
“Even though we’re kind of outnumbered — we have more underclassmen than upperclassmen — it’s all about trying to lead by example,” Collier added. “We want to work hard to make sure everyone else does.”
“We want to help our teammates,” Daigle said. “We keep telling them, ‘Ask questions, ask questions.’ Even if we don’t get to where we want to be, I think we’ll be remembered as a helpful class, and hopefully a fun and friendly group.”
Helpful, fun and friendly they have down, it appears.
All that’s left? That elusive state crown.
The Greyhounds have a reputation as a playoff team, and at no time was that more evident than last season. After a rough start to the season, they eked into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed. Two games later, after wins over No. 1 Dirigo and perennial nemesis North Yarmouth Academy, the No. 5 seed, Lisbon was back in the regional final against rival Oak Hill.
“The playoffs are such a different season; it’s just so different,” Daigle said. “Anything can happen, but the thing is, if you lose, you’re done. With playoffs last year, I think it finally clicked for everyone. No one wanted to be done.”
Collier, Daigle and Philbrick aren’t ready to be done this year, either. Not without their hands around that coveted trophy.
“If you give up, even for the slightest second, it will all be over,” Collier said, a wistful look overcoming her face. “Every single year, we strive to go as far as we can.”
jpelletier@sunjournal.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
