Blue Hill—The George Stevens Academy tennis teams have been on the court, both outdoors and indoors, over the last couple of weeks, in anticipation of their 2018 season.
The girls team, coached by Tim Farrar, returns with experience, as senior Lindsay Nevin and Julianna Allen will look to dominate singles play for the Eagles. Also returning are Courtney Bianco, Lillie Meyer and Katie Schweitzer.
“We have a lot of veteran experience coming back,” said Farrar. “I think we’re going to be very competitive.”
Farrar added that Erika Hipsky, Libby Weed and newcomer to the team Yulia Heggestad all show promise to help the team win matches this season.
George Stevens Academy has picked up Mattanawcook Academy this season, which has been successful over the years. “I think the majority of our schedule is against teams who we’ll see again in the post season,” said Farrar. “We have a very competitive schedule.”
Boys coach Mark Ensworth is working with a much younger, more inexperienced team than Farrar, with only doubles player Kent Fang returning from last year’s squad.
How quickly the team will be able to build consistency is a key factor in their success this year, according to Ensworth.
The George Stevens Academy girls tennis team. Courtesy of GSA
Pictured, from left, Katie Schweizer, Yulia Heggestad, Chloe politte, libby Weed, Courtney Bianco, Julianna Allen and Lindsay Nevin. Not pictured are Lillian Maier, Elinor Haldane and Ericka Hipsky.
“States feels like a long ways away this time of year,” he said. “We have been fortunate to have a lot of success over the years.”
With his experience, Fang will make the jump from doubles to singles play this season, a move Ensworth said can be a challenging one.
“[Fang] has taken on the task with a high work ethic and enthusiasm and is expected to have a great year,” he said.
Sophomore Quinn Stabler is someone who is showing potential during the early weeks of the season, according to Ensworth, and Joey Mitchell has also come on as an anchor for the second doubles team.
“The future is bright, but we are certainly going to have some growing pains,” said Ensworth.
The George Stevens Academy boys tennis team. Courtesy of GSA
Pictured, in front from left, lars Hooper, liam Webb and Tony politano. in back, from left, Kent Fang, Bowen Sul, Oscar Sun, Quinn Stabler and Joey Mitchell. Missing from photo are Machias Bailey and Dylan Thomas