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| Aroostook Republican photo/ Jon Gulliver Freshman Erin Patton is expected to play doubles this spring for the Caribou High tennis team. |
PREVIEW
By Jon Gulliver
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — The Caribou Vikings tennis teams will be looking to make it to the post season once again this spring.
The girls’ team is coming off an 11-2 record and a loss to eventual Eastern Maine Class B champions Waterville in the quarterfinals. The boys posted a 6-7 mark and lost to Presque Isle in the quarters.
Coach John Habeeb, on a roster of eight girls, has seven players back from last season. He hasn’t set who will be playing in which spots yet, but did say junior Ashley Richards, senior Carlee Pinette, junior Alexa Massey and senior Katie Keaton did well last year and expected them to do the same this season.
“The doubles team may be a combination of Keaton or Massey along with junior Megan Doody, sophomore Clara Collins and freshman Erin Patton,” said Habeeb, now in his 24th year coaching the tennis teams.
Also on the girls’ roster are junior Emma Duplissie-Cyr and freshman Makayla Bouchard.
The boys’ team is also light on numbers this season with only eight players, and one of them is currently injured.
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| Aroostook Republican photo/ Jon Gulliver Senior Katie Keaton brings experience to the Caribou High School tennis team this year. |
Juniors Tyler Willey, Zachary Gorence and Lucien Caverhill and freshman Michael Marquis are battling for single positions. The double teams may be a combination of Caverhill and Marquis along with junior Cameron Hill and freshman Brendan Cyr, after he returns from injury. The second doubles team will be a family affair with freshmen brothers Dylan and Dusty Coty in that spot.
For the outlook for the boys’ team Habeeb is realistic.
“The boys have barely enough players to compete with a full team — we will be fortunate to make the playoffs,” he said. “We are about a year or two away from being more competitive.”
As for the girls’ team, Habeeb is more optimistic about his veteran squad.
“There is tough competition right now in Class B with Waterville, MDI, Ellsworth and us,” said Habeeb. “We are probably a top four team and our matches with Ellsworth will be a key.”
The Vikings begin the regular season Saturday on the road against John Bapst. Their first home match is Thursday, April 26 against Presque Isle at 3:30 p.m.
