By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
CARIBOU – The Viking girls tennis team is aiming for a return trip to the Class B state finals, and early indications are that the squad has a good chance to get there.
Coach John Habeeb’s team has shaken off an early-season loss at Mount Desert Island and took a 10-1 record into their final match yesterday in Houlton.
Habeeb isn’t taking too much stock into the April 30 loss to the Trojans, given that his team had very little court time prior to that match due to the snowy and rainy weather that had hit the region throughout the previous month.
Still, the veteran coach acknowledges that the team has a lot of work ahead if it wants to repeat as EM champions.
“MDI and Camden Hills are the teams to beat,” he said. “We will have to work hard and practice a lot [to win another title].
“We need all our players to be at the top of their game and cannot afford any costly injuries.”
Caribou’s strength lies in its top two singles players. Seniors Jenna Selander and Laura Collins both reached the top 16 in last year’s state singles tournament, with Selander actually making it to the quarterfinals.
“Jenna has a dominating serve and forehand,” Habeeb said. “She’s gritty, tough and fights for every point.”
Collins is one of the top No. 2 singles players in Eastern Maine and Habeeb likes the mental and physical toughness and consistency she brings to the court.
Carlee Pinette plays third singles and improved her serve during the off-season. The junior, according to Habeeb, has a “very good baseline game and her forehand and backhand are equally strong.”
Teaming up on the first doubles team are junior Katie Keaton and sophomore Ashley Richards. The two made up the second doubles team for the final portion of 2010 and the chemistry they share on the court should translate into a big season.
Lydia Kieffer and Alexa Massey make up the No. 2 doubles team for the Vikings. Massey played both third singles and second doubles a year ago as a freshman and will form a duo with Kieffer, a first-year player who is very competitive, according to Habeeb.
Aly Michaud, Clara Collins, Megan Doody, Emma Duplissie-Cyr and Kayla Cormier are the other members of the squad.
The Caribou boys are three years removed from winning a state championship, having done so with the 2008 team that went undefeated. The Vikes, by their standard, have struggled over the past couple seasons and have not survived the quarterfinal round of the playoffs.
Caribou was 7-4 heading into their finale against Houlton .
The Vikes are hampered by a small roster, as only seven went out for the team. That means if any member of the team is absent for a match, the team will have to forfeit a position. Through the first 11 matches, that has not happened.
Senior Ezra Duplissie-Cyr plays first singles and is called “a good team leader” by Habeeb. “He works hard for every point and is good at strategies in his individual matches,” said the coach.
Seniors also make up the other two starting singles positions. Matt Coty plays No. 2 and is a very disciplined player who brings lots of match experience. Phil Smith is a tall and aggressive player who owns a good topspin forehand and serve.
The doubles teams are made up of four sophomores. Lucien Caverhill and Tyler Willey form the first duo, while Zac Gorence and Cameron Hill play second doubles.