All-Region girls' tennis POY: Lewiston freshman Julia Svor comes through in the clutch

Julia Svor went undefeated for Lewiston this season. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)

When her team needed her, Julia Svor stepped up. The Lewiston freshmen ended her first season of varsity tennis with an undefeated record, going 16-0 in team competition in the regular season and playoffs, while helping the Blue Devils reach the Class A state championship match.

“I was actually so happy that I was undefeated this season,” Svor said. “It was actually a really good accomplishment (for my) freshmen year.”

In the state singles tournament, Svor reached the round of 32 before falling to Izzy Evans of Greely.

As Lewiston’s No. 2 player for most of the year — behind her twin sister Abby — Svor was the steady force the team needed, especially in the playoffs. In the opening round the team tournament, Julia had to step up into the No. 1 role to help the Blue Devils defeat Cony when Abby couldn’t play because of illness.

After Lewiston cruised to victory over Camden Hills in the regional semifinals, Julia was called upon in the regional final against Brunswick. After the doubles teams swept to give Lewiston a 2-0 lead, Brunswick battled to tie the match after winning No. 1 and No. 3 singles.

Julia Svor clinched the regional title for Lewiston by defeating Lea Scrapchansky 6-4, 6-4.

“I was actually really nervous, honestly, but I was up a set,” Svor said. “All I needed to do was play my game. I think it was (5-4) at one point and she got one back and I was getting nervous that I would let the team down. But I knew they were rooting for me and it got my self-esteem up to play my game.”

Against Falmouth in the state championships, with the Blue Devils down 1-0, she won to tie the match up.

The lasting memory of this season for Svor is being with her teammates.

“Just knowing some of the players and how they play, we have a pretty young team,” Svor said. “It was exciting to be playing with them.”