Lewiston—In a matchup with top-ranked Orono, to whom George Stevens Academy handed their only loss this season, the Eagles fell 4-1 in a Class C Northern regional final in Lewiston on June 4. Doubles team Joey Mitchell and Liam Webb scored the Eagles sole point in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4. In a fifth-game dead rubber, Eagles’ first singles player Kent Fang was edged out in a tiebreaker, 10-3, after splitting sets with Itai Boss of Orono.
The Eagles greatest achievement may have been just reaching the finals. Facing #2 Mattanawcook, it took the Eagles four-and-a-half hours to secure the 3-2 semifinal win, something they were unable to do during two regular season match-ups.
Senior first singles player Kent Fang, in forefront, hits a backhand, as third singles Connery Williamson prepares to serve in the Eagles’ quarterfinal win against Houlton May 31. Photo by Anne Berleant
“The teams beat up on each other this year,” Coach Mark Ensworth said. “Winning our semifinal match to get to the finals was no easy task….The grit and determination the boys showed that day was something I am proud of.”
The Eagles breezed past Houlton 5-0 in the quarterfinals, with third singles player Connery Williamson and doubles team Lars Hooper and Chris Bennett fighting through third sets for the sweep.
Despite the loss in the regional finals, Ensworth said his players still could appreciate how far they’d gone.
“These kids are competitors. They were disappointed to not have won today. However, they were able to appreciate the accomplishments they reached this season.”
Liam Webb smacks a return in a quarterfinal doubles match against Houlton May 31. Photo by Anne Berleant
With Fang and Bennett graduating this year, the Eagles will have to work in the offseason to especially replace Fang, who entered the state singles tournament as the seventh seed.
“Kent is one of the best players we have had in this program,” Ensworth said. “He was a great leader for this team.”
Doubles player Bennett’s performance took off in the playoffs “which helped us make the run we made,” Ensworth added.
Freshman Connery Williamson fights for the win in his quarterfinal match against Houlton May 31 in Blue Hill. Photo by Anne Berleant
But the head coach looks to a “solid veteran group” returning next year to build on what they achieved this season. “We will not have a lot of holes to fill. It will be fun to watch how they improve going into the next season.”