Wildcat teams working hard, challenging for playoff berths

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The boys feature a brand new look and the girls are unable to field a full roster, but the Presque Isle tennis teams continue to battle in the Class B North rankings and both find themselves within range for a playoff berth. 

The Wildcat boys have an entirely new look from last year’s team that went 8-4. With two players graduating, including No. 2 singles player Byron Winslow, and three veteran players electing to not return, it’s been a new-look squad for coach Brian Massey.

Last year, the Wildcats made it to the playoffs and getting back to the tournament is a primary goal. With the inexperience of the team, a lot of hard work has been necessary to get that result, but it appears the team will finish in the top 11 and move on. PI is currently in eighth place with its 7-4 record entering the regular season finale Tuesday, May 23 at home against Caribou.

The team consists of seven players this year, but only three of the seven have real match experience. Sophomore Andre Daigle has advanced to the No. 1 singles position after playing third singles a year ago. He has qualified for the state singles tournament to be held this weekend in Waterville.

Junior Jordan Bonville played first doubles last year but has been elevated to No. 2 singles. No. 3 singles features sophomore Mason Young, who played No. 2 doubles in 2016. Massey said both have done a good job in making the necessary adjustments.

Juniors Gage Young and Isaac Madore are partnered up in the first doubles pairing, while Brandon McKnight, a sophomore, and Austin Moreau, a junior, play second doubles.

“I have asked everyone to play above their current skillset this season, and thus far we have showed a ton of heart and at the very least met those expectations as well as we can,” Massey said. “We need experience on the courts, however, and the weather has not been our friend, but they are a very cohesive bunch of kids.

“We are not geographically advantaged to having powerhouse tennis teams by in large in the County, so players have to make up skillset ground rather quickly,” he added. “We stress that our season is 24 matches long because I want to focus on growth and development over manufacturing wins at the expense of teaching the sport the proper way.”

Despite small numbers, the PI girls have worked their way to a 6-5 record heading into the final match of the regular season, which was held Tuesday, May 23 at home against Caribou. Veteran coach Monica Bearden has the girls working hard despite having several things going against them the entire season.

“It is really tough to go into every match being down 1-0 before we ever step on the court since we only have six players,” explained Bearden. “We have had to forfeit the second doubles all season.”

Last year, the Wildcats finished with an 8-4 match record and ended up losing 3-2 in the preliminary round to Winslow. The Wildcats graduated their No. 1 singles player in Michelle Cawley, a four-year starter, and Sedona Lucas, the No. 3 singles player and a three-year starter.

This year’s squad consists of senior Sarah Morneault as the first singles player, junior Miranda Bragan at second singles and freshman Hana Boucher as the third singles. Morneault is a veteran returnee and picked up one of the team’s two wins in the playoffs a year ago.

The first doubles team has featured sophomore Anna Robinson in the lead spot and freshman Gaby Haley and junior Ellie Goheen splitting the second position. Bearden noted that this is a very young team, but they are working hard and showing improvement.

“I have a young team experience wise,” she said. “I’m fortunate to have such a great group of young ladies that have such great work ethic. They have really shown a lot of improvement.”

The Wildcats are currently in ninth place and own single victories over Old Town, Fort Kent, Houlton and Washington Academy and two over Madawaska.