Tennis teams fall
Sports Editor
The Presque Isle boys and girls tennis teams took to the courts Saturday for a season opening match against Ellsworth. Played at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, it was a rough go for the Wildcats as both squads fell to start of the 2010 spring sports season.
Ellsworth boys 3, Presque Isle 2 — In a rematch of last season’s Eastern Class B championship, the Wildcats (0-1) played well against powerhouse Ellsworth, falling just short. The individual results, with Wildcats listed first, were: in singles, Caleb Mathers (0-1) lost to Taylor Small (1-8); Connor Shaw (1-0) defeated Dillon Toothaker, 8-4; and Chris Cawley (0-1) fell to Brandon Albee, 2-8.
In doubles, Kyle Gilson (0-1) and Emerson Mendieta-Castro (0-1) lost to Dustin Murphy and Tyler Beardsley, 8-9 (5-7 in tiebreaker); and Mike Picard (1-0) and Osman Castro (1-0) defeated Luc Victor and Adam Toothaker, 8-4.
“Although I am disappointed with the loss, I am happy with the team’s performance,” PI coach Sam Picard said. “We nearly won this match, and I feel that Ellsworth is going to be one of the strongest teams that we will see all season long. Last year, we lost to them 5-0.”
DOUBLES ACTION
Staff photos/Joseph Cyr
The doubles team of Emerson Mendieta-Castro, front, and Kyle Gilson had one of the more exciting matches on the day, falling in a tiebreaker to Ellsworth during the home match played Saturday at the University of Maine at Presque Isle courts. The Wildcats fell to the Eagles, 3-2.
Ellsworth girls 3, Presque Isle 2 — Also at UMPI, the Presque Isle girls played a hard-fought match against Ellsworth, falling just short. The individual results, with Wildcats listed first, were: in singles, Kailee Ireland (1-0) defeated Holly Wadman, 8-3; Madelyn Carson (0-1) lost to Ashley Harding, 2-8; and Dani Wolland (1-0) beat Ina Maloney, 8-5.
In doubles, Lindsay Michaud (0-1) and Divya Bisht (0-1) lost to Caitlin Maloney and Rachel Bell, 6-8; and Melissa Carson (0-1) and Deidre Dicker (0-1) fell to Brianne Whitney and Claire Russell, 6-8.
“I was pleased with our first performance of the season, even though it was a loss,” said PI coach Monica Bearden. “Ellsworth is always a top team in our division, so we had a good showing against them. Caribou on Thursday will probably be our toughest opponent of the season.”
FOCUSED
Staff photos/Joseph Cyr
Lindsay Michaud of the Presque Isle girls tennis team stays focused as she tries to get to the ball during Saturday’s match against Ellsworth.
