CARIBOU, Maine — It’s been another memorable and successful season for the Caribou girls’ varsity tennis team, which makes a bid for consecutive regional titles beginning Thursday when the Class B North playoffs get underway.
The Vikings were unchallenged while going through the regular season with a 12-0 record. They are the top seed in the division and will await the winner of the Belfast-Brewer prelim for the upcoming quarterfinal match to be played at Caribou High School.
Caribou, under the leadership of veteran coach John Habeeb, has four starters back from the 2017 squad which claimed the Class B North championship.
Gabrielle Marquis and Ashley Matlock hold down the first two singles positions and both are seniors with plenty of experience.
Marquis has been the team MVP throughout her four-year career and is the clear-cut No. 1.
Ashley Matlock has put together another stellar season on the tennis court. The Vikings’ No. 2 singles player, a senior, has helped her team to a 12-0 record and No. 1 seed entering the Class B North playoffs.
(Courtesy of Sha Lam Photography)
“She’s the most decorated player we’ve ever had at Caribou High School,” Habeeb said, noting Marquis will be a four-time All-Aroostook selection, was named player of the year in the Penobscot Valley Conference both her sophomore and junior seasons and is a favorite to repeat, and was seeded for the third consecutive year in the state singles tourney.
“She’s very athletic, determined and experienced and is definitely our team leader,” Habeeb said.
Matlock is a coach’s dream, according to Habeeb, thanks to her work ethic and personality.
“She’s a great teammate and is always the first one to arrive at practice and she is always striving to get better,” Habeeb said. “Ashley is a very good big match player who doesn’t wilt under pressure. She’s won some big ones for us in the playoffs in past years.”
Holmquist, a junior, is at third singles after competing in doubles the past two seasons.
“She worked the hardest out of anybody in the summer,” Habeeb said. “Tennis is her sport and her game has grown by leaps and bounds.”
The coach said Holmquist always puts the team first and the development of a topspin forehand has really benefited her on the court.
Senior Ciara Richards and sophomore Maddie Stratton make up the Vikes’ No. 1 doubles team. Richards is a four-year starter in doubles who has a load of prior playoff experience, while Stratton is a good all-around player from baseline to net.
Seniors Kyra Thibeault and Samantha Tourk are on the second doubles team. Thibeault is back as a starter after being a sub last season and plays a lot during the summer. Tourk was a reserve the past three seasons but earned the starting nod and is a player who Habeeb said has the ability to rise to the occasion.
The Vikings closed out their regular season at home last Tuesday with a 5-0 win over Madawaska. In singles, Marquis and Matlock both won by forfeit and Holmquist defeated the Owls’ Myra Berwick, 8-0. In doubles, the Stratton-Richards duo also won by forfeit and Tourk-Thibeault (C) eased past Madawaska’s Hannah Thibeault-Brittany Ouellette, 8-1.
With a win Thursday, Caribou will host a semifinal match on Saturday. The Class B North finals will be played Tuesday at Colby College in Waterville.
