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Eliot Potvin hopes for a better high school tennis season in 2005 than he had in 2004, and that was quite impressive.
The sophomore from Hampden Academy went undefeated as a freshman until dropping a three-set match to Bangor’s Bryan Brown in the state singles final, then went on to finish second in the New England high school championships.
Now he’s off to an undefeated start again this spring, including an 8-0 pro-set victory over Brown and an 8-3 win over talented Hermon top seed Josh Warren.
“I think I’m playing better,” said Potvin. “I have a lot more experience, and I’ve been working on my serve and my return.”
Potvin gained considerable experience over the summer competing on the New England junior circuit as well as in a pair of national-level tournaments.
In those national events, he finished 10th and 16th in 64-player fields, winning a total of nine matches in the two tournaments.
“I was very pleased,” said Potvin, who has worked on his serve-and-volley game but still does much of his work from the baseline. “In the first national tournament I was in, I was the lowest-ranked kid there. It’s tough because I’m the only kid from Maine who plays in those tournaments.”
As for his success in regional competition, Potvin currently is ranked eighth in the New England 16-and-under division.
Potvin also played frequently during the winter against Brown and was a little surprised by his shutout victory in their first regular-season encounter last week. He admitted a single pro set isn’t nearly the same as the best-of-three matches that determine postseason success.
“He beat me quite a few times when we played in the winter,” said Potvin, who defeated Brown twice during the 2004 regular season.
“But when we played last week, I returned the ball really well. He came in on everything and I was hitting the ball right at his feet.”
Potvin and Brown are considered the favorites to meet again later this season with the 2005 state singles title at stake.
“Obviously my goal is to win all three meetings [including regular-season matches] if we get back to the states,” Potvin said. “I’d like to get a little revenge this year at the states, and I’m going to work hard to do that.”
Brewer teams on Web site
Fans of the Brewer High softball team can keep up with the defending Eastern Maine Class A champion Witches this season on their new Web site, www.brewersoftball.com.
The site was launched on March 22 by Don Corey, the father of senior center fielder Anna Corey and assistant coach Erika Corey, who is a former Brewer player.
The Web site has rosters, player biographies (most of the girls list coach Kelly Cookson as their role model), directions to the Witches’ home Coffin Field, schedules, and an impressive trove of photos, including both action and candid shots.
There’s also a recipe section with instructions for making dips and desserts (don’t make Lori’s peanut “batter” fudge if a game’s been rained out … bad weather for fudge).
The Brewer baseball team has a similar Web site – without the recipes – to keep fans up to date on the Witches.
The site – www.leaguelineup.com/brewerbaseball – is maintained by Jay Otis, father of Brewer outfielder Andrew Otis, and features team and individual statistics, schedule updates and PVC Class A baseball standings, among other items.
Lee off to strong start
Lee Academy’s girls teams have had incredible success this year, with three Class D Eastern Maine team titles (soccer, cross country and basketball) and two state championships (cross country and basketball). The Panda softball team is also off to a strong start (4-0) as the girls seek their fourth regional title this year.
Lee has outscored its opponents 74-29, including a 31-2 win over an undermanned Woodland team. The Pandas also have a 14-9 win over traditional Class D power Bangor Christian and a 17-8 victory over Dexter, which advanced to the Eastern Maine Class C semifinals last year. The Pandas edged Class C Penobscot Valley of Howland 12-10 Monday.
Panda freshman pitcher Brooke Harris has allowed 21 hits so far while Lee has pounded out 50 hits.
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