Dirigo
Coach: Bruce Thompson
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Last year’s results: 7-3, (Fifth in Class C South)
Returning athletes: Juniors — Brandon Litalien, Alex Gotham, Nathan Child, Jack Lavorgna.
Key losses: Justin Grignon, Noah Brown, Justin Cantin
Promising newcomers: Junior — Cameron Kidder; Sophomore — Nolan Downs; Freshmen — Jacob Chow, Sam Skibitski, Brandon Harris
Season outlook: They have their third singles, one half of their first doubles team and their second doubles teams back. They should be among the top three MVC teams this year. Coach Thompson expects Carrabec to be strong again, with six returners, and Mountain Valley is another team to beat in 2018 in the MVC.
Edward Little
Coach: Greg Vincent (10th year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: A
Record: 5-7 (seventh place in Northern Class A)
Returning Athletes: Juniors — Caleb Yarnevich, Bilial Hussein; Sophomore — Jacob Pooler
Key Losses: Brandon Case, Marshall Chadbourne, Donnie Peterson, Koby Humason-Fulgham, Michael Gordon, Noah Yarnevich, Jamison Pooler, Zach Boyd
Promising newcomers: Senior — Keenan Alexander; Juniors — Josh Hamel; Sophomores — Logan Alexander, Gavin Toussaint, Evan Saltis, Max Creaser.
Season outlook: This year’s EL team is destined to pick up where last year’s team left off. In 2016, the team had zero wins. Last year, the team won five matches and just missed a playoff berth. The Eddies’ goal for this season is to make the playoffs and surprise a team or two. Depth should not be a problem as there appear to be a good number of players ready to hit the courts, and after losing seven senior starters last year, they need players to step up and fill in those gaps.
Hebron Academy
Coach: Colin Griggs (Second year)
Conference: MAISAD
Last year’s results: 8-2 (7-1 in MAISAD – co-champs with Kents Hill)
Returning athletes: Seniors — Freddy Hohmann, Masataka Mita, Delano Brown; Juniors — Vedant Divekar, Ryan Caggiano, AJ Meo.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Joe Bisson, Max Thomson, Jakob Reinhardt
Season outlook: Hebron took a big step forward in 2017 when they earned a share of the MAISAD title for the first time since 2001, and competed in the NEPSAC tournament for the first time in program history. The 2018 team should be even stronger as three new seniors join six returners for the expectation of a very strong lineup. Competition within the team will be fierce before the season starts to see who will earn themselves spots at singles and in the doubles rotation. The Lumberjacks have set goals to win the league outright and get back to the NEPSAC tournament.
Lewiston
Coach: Tom Leblond (Seventh year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: A
Last year’s results: 13-3 (State runner-up)
Returning athletes: Juniors — Caden Smith, Sam Frechette, Jacob Smith, Ethan Weiss, Hayden Bavis; Sophomores — Jeremy Hepler, Ben St.Laurant.
Key losses: Cole Ouellette, Ben Ferrance, Joe Bisson.
Season outlook: Lewiston is coming off a successful 2017 season in which they were able to capture the Class A North regional title. This year’s players will have to replace key losses at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. The team does not lack for experience, as they are returning five players with varsity experience. Their group will be a hard-working and competitive team and will set its sights on being one of the top teams in Class A North.
Lisbon
Coach: Paul Giggey (10th year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Last year’s results: 0-10
Returning athletes: Junior — Alex Wells; Sophomore — Ben James.
Key loss: Andrew Balser.
Season outlook: The Greyhounds have high number of freshmen on the team and their goal is to be very patient in their rebuilding efforts. They hope this season is a start to a promising future.
Mountain Valley
Coach: Todd Papianou (10th year)
Conference: MVC; Class: B
Last year’s results: 4-7 (Lost in the Class B south quarterfinal)
Returning athletes: Senior — Camden Mason; Juniors — Gabe Ladd, Cameron Gallant; Sophomores — Trevor Gallant, Caleb Noyes.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Moritz Weihriem; Sophomore — Josh Hodgson; Freshman — Brady Davis.
Season outlook: The Falcons have a great deal of confidence heading into this season. Knowing their opponents and anticipating some strong matchups, they feel it’s their year to make moves toward the top of the MVC. The future looks strong, with a lot of interest from underclassmen that are joining the team to bolster a full squad this year.
Mt. Blue
Coach: Zac Conlogue (fifth year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: A
Last year’s results: 8-6 (fourth in Northern Class A)
Returning athletes: Seniors — Joe Crandall, Alden Thompson-Vought; Juniors— Chris Marshall, Ryan Haszko, Zack Gunther, Mick Gurney, Caleb Hodsdon; Sophomores- Xander Gurney, Aubrey Hoes.
Key losses: Tom Marshall, Tristin McFarlane, Andrew Haszko, Cole Dorman.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Harrison Deng, Junior-James Guillium; Freshmen — Andy Chen, Alex Davis, Ayden Beisaw, Kaden Allen, Eijah Craig, Dema Hupp, Jacob Smith, Michael Ferrari.
Season outlook: Mt. Blue looks to build of a strong year to compete for a title in a very competitive Class A North again this season. Mt. Blue lost four starters from a year ago and will look to Chris Marshall, Joe Crandall, and Alden Thompson-Vought for leadership and experience. The three of them look like they will battle it out for the top three spots on team. Mt. Blue will rely on its depth to be successful.
Spruce Mountain
Coach: Bill Acritelli (third year)
Conference: MVC; Class: B
Last year record: 0-12
Returning athletes: Juniors — Joel Soper, Jon Brenner, Sophomores — Cam Cain, Cam Souther, Scott Jackson, Jake Paradis.
Key losses: Elijah Parker
Promising newcomer: Junior — Seth York; Sophomore — Colby Hamblin.
Season 0utlook: Spruce Mountain is still a young team with no seniors. The Phoenix look to improve their game with hard work in the preseason. Last year they saw a lot of improvement when they played in the KVAC. The kids have good attitudes and look to have a fun year. They all have set goals which they would like to meet by the end of the season.
St. Dom’s
Coach: Andrew Girouard (fourth year).
Conference: WMC; Class: C
Last year’s results: 7-7 (sixth in Class C South; lost in Class C South semis)
Returning athletes: Senior — Drew Greco; Sophomore – Robby Kurtz
Key losses: Sam Blaisdell, Matt Boulet, Elliot Hachey, Cam Jalbert, Noah Toussaint
Promising newcomers: Junior — Gaston Fuksa; Sophomores — Francisco Redondo, Demetri Gammaitoni; Freshmen — Alec Beaudin, Owen Mitchell
Season outlook: The Saints have had a strong finish to each of the past few seasons. Despite losing five seniors, they are looking to continue working hard and want to advance further in the playoffs.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
