The Houlton High School boys tennis team made their mark in the Class C playoffs this season by getting past their preliminary opponent and then upsetting the No. 1 ranked team to reach the semifinals last Saturday in Madawaska.
In Saturday’s semifinal match, the Houlton boys lost 1-4, as they finished with an 8-7 record, while Madawaska advanced to the finals with an 11-3 mark.
During the season, Houlton had fallen twice to Madawaska, 1-4 and 2-3.
“We were hoping to turn that over to a win, but to no avail,” said Houlton coach Jean Maunder.
The lone winner for Houlton was Josh Sullivan who defeated Michael Wong 6-0 and 6-1.
“It was a tough match, but we rallied hard,” said Maunder. “Ethan and Lucas each split sets and put up a strong fight.”
Ethan Nickerson (H) fell to Jake Gendreau 6-4, 2-6, and 6-1, while Ian Lee (M) topped Lucas Grant 3-6, 6-4, and 7-6 (7-5).
In doubles, Robby Woods/Steven Phillips were bested 6-3 and 6-1 by Sam Dechaine/Tim Deschenes of Madawaska, while Christian Crane/Dakota Gramour were toppled 6-2, 6-2 by the Owls’ Sam Cyr/Lucas Gendreau.
In the quarterfinals, the Houlton boys upset the No. 1 Mattanawcook Academy Lynx (12-1) last Friday at Bangor Indoor Tennis. The Shires were defeated twice by the Lynx 2-3 during the regular season.
“We played an incredible match,” Maunder noted. “The most exciting match was Ethan’s that went to a tie-breaker before he pulled through. It was just exciting to beat the top seed.”
The Shiretowners turned the score around on their opponents, 3-2, as Nickerson defeated Justin Chan (MA) 7-6, (7-5) and 7-5 and in doubles, Woods/Phillips topped Nick Birtz/Tysen Libby 6-4 and 6-3 and Crane/Gramour bested Joey Karikala/Bill Gardner, 6-3 and 7-5.
Grant played a very tough singles match falling to Josh Phillips 6-2, as the second set was not finished due to time constraint, while Sullivan fell 6-4, 6-4 to Aaron Goodine.
The No. 9 Shires overcame their preliminary opponent, Piscataquis, 4-1, last Tuesday.
In singles, Nickerson topped Kaiel Flick, 6-3 and 6-1, while Sullivan defeated Jarrod White, 6-0 and 6-0. Grant fell in his singles match, 6-1 and 6-0 to Jose Palma. In doubles, Woods/Phillips trumped Andrew White/Chase Bouton, 6-1 and 6-1, while Crane/Gramour won by forfeit.
“Next year will be tough,” said Maunder. We lose five seniors, but we still have some depth with Christian looking strong for first singles.”
Graduated from the program are Grant, Sullivan, Nickerson, Woods and Phillips.
“I’m so proud of Lucas and Josh, who overcame challenges and never quit, which made them better players,” Maunder added.
Final individual records for the Houlton Shiretowners were: seniors, Grant, three-year player, first singles, 5 wins, 10 losses; Nickerson, four-year player, second singles, 9 wins, 6 losses; Sullivan, four years, third singles, 9 wins, 5 losses; Woods, four years, first doubles, 8 wins, 5 losses; Phillips, three years, first doubles, 10 wins, 5 losses; juniors, Crane, three years, second doubles, 11 wins, 3 losses; Gramour, three years, second doubles, 9 wins, 2 losses; and sophomore, Hunter McLaughlin, second year, second doubles, 1 win, 4 losses.
Rounding out the squad are: juniors, Dustin Hines and Mason McCarthy; sophomores, Chris Kenney and Isaiah Littleton and freshman Owen Gallop. Managing the team are Jill Moran and Mariah Crane.
Maunder looks forward to an improved girls season next year. Playing for the team were: juniors, Tessa Winship, first singles; Caleigh Sullivan, second singles; Emily Mooers, first doubles, and Janelle Levesque, second doubles; sophomores, Piper Flewelling, third singles, June Choi, Lauren Hogan, Lexi Bartlett, Morgan Nelson, Rachelle Provost and Victoria Codrey, all second doubles; and freshman Sarah Delano, first doubles.
Girl’s manager is Jenna Kenney and third-year volunteer assistant for both squads, Michelle Sullivan.
