    The Houlton High School boys’ tennis team title bid ended last Saturday in Madawaska, as the No. 3 Owls (12-2) topped No. 7 Houlton, 4-1.
FOLLOWING THROUGH – Houlton singles player Ashir Abouleish puts power behind his follow through during his match with Sean Cavanaugh of Calais last Tuesday at Community Park. The Houlton boys went on to the Class C semifinals on Saturday. The team was defeated by Madawaska, 4-1.
   The Shiretowners finished the year with an 8-7 record, with seven seniors graduating from the tennis teams.
   Against the host Owls in the semifinals, with a new face taking the court from the previous two outings and had a good showing. Three of the top players were missing from the semifinal match because of a prior obligation. Stepping in was Lucas Anderson, a freshman player.
   “It was hard on the other players who were put in a higher position than they normally play,” said coach Jean Maunder. “But, they gave it their best shot.”
   In singles, Shawn Parker defeated Houlton’s Zach Harvey 6-2, 7-5, while Nathan Beaulieu topped the Shires’ Derek Thomas 6-1 and 6-4. Playing in the tournament for the first time was Houlton’s Cody Woods who lost to Chris Lizotte 6-0 and 6-2.
STROKES – Houlton’s Derek Thomas lines up his return forehand during last Tuesday’s match against Calais.
   In doubles, the Delano brothers were separated and took on their new partner in the semifinals. Tyler and Anderson were defeated by Jacques Daigle/Jamie Cyr, 6-1 and 6-2, but Dustin and Anderson battled Kyle Pelletier/Adam Lavertu to a 2-6, 6-2 and 6-1 win.
   “Even with missing players, we won more games overall against Madawaska than we had in the matches during the regular season,” Maunder said.
   Last Wednesday’s quarterfinals pitted Houlton against No. 2 Penquis (11-2) in Milo. The Shiretowners won 3-1.
   In singles, Houlton’s Thomas defeated Kyle Murphy 6-3 and 6-0, while Houlton’s Ashir Abouleish tied 1-1 with Ryan Bailey, as the match was not completed. Penquis’ Logan Greenlaw picked up a 6-2, 6-1 win over Houlton’s Harvey.
STROKES – Zach Harvey returns a backhand swing against his opponent. Both boys are singles players for Houlton High School. The Shiretowners made their way to last Saturday’s Class C semifinals, losing to Madawaska, 4-1.
   It was a clean sweep in the doubles, as Houlton’s Lowell Matthews/Elliot Mooers defeated Klay Stevens/Phil Larrabee 6-2, 6-2 and won the other doubles match by forfeit.
   At Houlton last Tuesday, the Shires won their preliminary matchup with No. 10 Calais, 3-2.
   Houlton’s Abouleish overtook Sean Cavanaugh, 6-2 and 6-3, while Thomas earned a 6-3, 6-3 win over Joe Martorano. Houlton’s Harvey worked hard but came out on the losing end, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1).
   In doubles, Matthews/Mooers were off their game and fell 6-1, 6-0 to Jeff Johnston/Sabrizio Soberanis, but the Delano brothers, Tyler and Dustin, defeated Jesse Clark/Nick Driscoll, 6-2 and 6-0.
   As far as next season, Maunder is excited.
Tyler Delano returns the ball back over the net
   “We have a strong lineup with the underclassmen and we hope to play some competitive tennis next year,” she said. “Look out for Tyler Delano and Zach Harvey, as they are examples of excellent tennis players that we hope to have.”
Lucas Anderson’s racket meets the ball