BRUNSWICK, Maine — A year ago, the Caribou High School Vikings girls’ tennis team saw its season end much earlier than they expected.
As the No. 1 seed in Class B North, the CHS players were surprised at home by Camden Hills in the semifinal round of the playoffs by a score of 3-2.
On Tuesday, however, the Vikes were able to exact revenge on the Windjammers, who were the No. 1 seed this time around. The second-ranked Vikings defeated Camden Hills, 4-1, in a match played indoors at the Maine Pines Racquet and Fitness Club in Brunswick.
The victory gives Caribou, coached by John Habeeb, its first regional championship since 2010.
Three of the Vikings’ wins were provided by the three singles players — juniors Gabrielle Marquis and Ashley Matlock and senior Kelly Nicklaus. Marquis prevailed 6-2, 6-1 over Naomi Landry and Matlock stopped Sophia Landry, 6-0, 6-1. Nicklaus won her match in three sets over Kassie Krul, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.
Also picking up a point for Caribou was the No. 1 doubles team of Hailey Holmquist and Conner Spencer, who defeated Charlotte Messer and Julia Hoyt, 6-1, 6-2.
Camden Hills’ lone win came in second doubles as Kelsie Merrill and Caire Pierce stopped Caribou’s Ciara Richards and Danielle Hanson, 6-4, 7-5. It was the first individual match the Vikings had lost all season.
Caribou is now 15-0 heading into Saturday’s state championship match at Colby College in Waterville. The team will take on either 13-1 Greely, the top seed in B South, or 9-5 Yarmouth, ranked sixth, in the title match scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.. Greely and Yarmouth square off Thursday in the B South regional final.
