Broncs, MDI, Riots, Vikings eye crowns

Two-time state singles champion Eliot Potvin has represented the face of Hampden Academy boys tennis in recent years.

But the Broncos hope to broaden that view during the 2006 team playoffs that begin in earnest with most regional quarterfinals set for today.

At 12-0, Hampden is seeded second in Eastern Maine Class A, but the obstacle ahead of the Broncos and the rest of the field is formidable – No. 1 Lewiston is not only undefeated, but the three-time defending Class A state champion.

“Lewiston is certainly the team to beat,” said Hampden coach John Plourde, whose team faces No. 7 Brewer (6-6) in its quarterfinal. “Every single year they’re strong at all three singles and they’ve been very consistent in doubles.”

Hampden will be heavily favored to win a point at first singles as long as it advances in postseason play thanks to Potvin, who has gone undefeated the last two years.

But Potvin is not the only unbeaten Bronco. Josh Groleau went undefeated at third singles after playing first doubles a year ago, and he advanced to the state singles Round of 40.

The top doubles team of Lukas Koop and Martin Earley also was undefeated during the season, and placed second in the Penobscot Valley Conference doubles championships.

In addition, Sam Dow is a second-year player at second singles, while senior Eric Johnson and sophomore Jacob Cravens have stepped in as a first-year duo at second doubles.

Lewiston graduated its top two players from a year ago, but returns two Round of 40 qualifiers in James Morin and Mike Sarrazin as well as considerable depth in doubles. Mount Ararat of Topsham (10-1) is the No. 3 seed, led by freshman Mike Hill, who lost to Potvin in the state singles final.

Mount Ararat is the two-time defending Class A state champion on the girls side. The Eagles are fourth seeded this spring, behind undefeated top seed Lewiston, 10-1 Brunswick and 9-3 Mt. Blue of Farmington.

In Class B, Camden Hills of Rockport is the reigning boys state champion as well as the three-time Eastern Maine titlist.

The Windjammers have a veteran 1-2 punch in Joey Michalakes and Quinn Bardon, but several new faces fill the other positions. Camden Hills has lost just once – an April match against Oak Hill of Wales in which the team was without its top four players.

The No. 2 Windjammers have already have advanced to the semifinals with a 3-2 win over Belfast on Wednesday.

Mount Desert Island earned the top seed with an 11-1 record. The Trojans feature top singles players James Little and Robin Daley and in Paul Fineman and James Fineman have the PVC doubles champions.

Another threat is No. 3 Caribou, which improved to 12-1 with a 5-0 quarterfinal win over Presque Isle on Wednesday.

Ellsworth and Camden Hills, both 12-0, are ranked 1-2 in the Eastern B girls ranks.

Ellsworth has a top singles player in Ginny Dalrymple, and the PVC doubles champions in Kelsey Crowley and Miranda Grant. Camden Hills has won its last 28 regular-season matches, thanks in part to top singles player Erika Blauth, a sophomore who recently completed her second straight undefeated regular season.

In Class C, Orono is the reigning EM champion in both boys and girls play. The boys are top-seeded this year with an 11-1 record, Nimesh Patel a veteran at first singles and Tommy Boyle and Angus Rose one of the more experienced doubles tandems in the region.

George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill, the second seed, will be a top challenger in the boys ranks and is seeded first on the girls side with an 11-1 record. No. 2 Van Buren (12-1) already has advanced to the semifinals with a 4-1 win over Washington Academy of East Machias on Wednesday.

Orono, with top seed Kate Kirby, Katie Foley, and Kate Weatherbee among those back from last year’s title team, is third at 10-2 and 11-1 Calais is fourth.