Blue Hill—The George Stevens Academy tennis teams won a one-sided contest on windy courts Monday, May 13, with the girls and boys each shutting out Piscataquis 5-0.
Both teams currently hold the second spot in the Heal Point Standings for Class C, with an 8-2 record for the boys (losses to Mattanawcook and Orono), and 8-1 for the girls. The girls’ only loss went to top-ranked Mattanawcook in the season opener, the team that bested them for the Northern Class C title last year. The Eagle girls will face Mattanawcook again on Monday, May 20 in Lincoln.
Chris Bennett hits a backhand during a doubles win over Piscataquis Monday, May 13. Photo by Anne Berleant
“I think we’ve improved but so have they,” Coach Tim Farrar said. “We’re close but we’ll see what happens.”
Farrar sees a probable rematch at the regional finals next month. “We’re not where we hope to be but will be for the tournament,” he said.
The Eagle boys broke a five-match win streak with a 4-1 loss to Orono last Thursday, a team they edged 3-2 six days earlier, but sweeping the slate of matches against Piscataquis puts GSA back on the winning track.
Eagle second singles player Quinn Stabler serves on the George Stevens Academy courts on Monday, May 13. Photo by Anne Berleant
“Overall, the boys are playing more consistent and playing to their strengths,” Coach Mark Ensworth said.
With rainy weather rescheduling games and keeping the team off the practice court, Ensworth said it’s been difficult for the team to get comfortable and fix bad habits.
“We aren’t where we want to be come playoffs yet, but are progressing towards it,” Ensworth said.
Hattie Slayton serves against Piscataquis in a double matchup against Piscataquis May 13 at the Blue Hill Country Club courts. Photo by Anne Berleant
In the state singles tournament that began Saturday, May 11, all three of the boys singles players competed, with Quinn Stabler and Connery Williamson winning their first match but falling in the second round. Eagles’ first singles player Kent Fang, seeded seventh in the tournament, won both his matches and advances to the round of 48 in Lewiston on May 24, as will Courtney Bianco on the girls side, with Libby Weed and Chloe Politte racking solid wins in the first round before losing their next matches.
After hosting Mount Desert Island Wednesday, May 15 (results not available by press time), the teams are on the road for the remainder of the season, including May 22 matches against Deer Isle-Stonington.
GSA doubles player Libby Weed hits a forehand return against Piscataquis May 13 at the Blue Hill Country Club courts. Photo by Anne Berleant