AUGUSTA — One historic run ended while another continued when the Madison and Maranacook girls tennis teams met in a Class C South semifinal match Monday at A-Copi Tennis and Sports Center.

Second seeded Maranacook advanced to the regional final for the first time in school history with a 5-0 victory. The second-seeded Black Bears (13-1) will play top-seeded Carrabec for the regional championship at 4:15 p.m. Thursday at Bates College. Madison concludes its best-ever season at 10-2.

As they have all year, the Bulldogs began the match in a hole by forfeiting the second doubles match because they field only five players.

Maranacook’s Emma Wadsworth hits a shot to Madison’s Breanna Kanagy during a Class C South semifinal singles match Monday in Augusta.

The Bears sealed the win before the doubles match was complete or the first singles players had taken the court. Sophomore Emma Wadsworth, who reached the Round of 32 in the state singles tournament, defeated Breanna Kanagy at second singles, 6-0, 6-1.

Maranacook senior Karissa Lucas knocked off Madison’s Caitlyn Morgan in third singles 6-1, 6-4, then shortly thereafter Grace Bachelder and Anna Swimm sealed the team victory with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Kynsey Hibbard and Jenna Davis. Junior Madelyn Dwyer, who has played first singles for three years, completed the sweep with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Jill Holden at first singles.

“We’ve never gotten this far … so it’s a huge deal,” said Lucas, who went 12-1 at third singles this year.

The teams didn’t meet in the regular season because they play in different conferences. Maranacook faced tougher competition in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference and lost only to unbeaten Lincoln Academy, the top-tanked team in Class B South. The Bulldogs played in the Mountain Valley Conference and posted their most wins ever despite some obstacles.

“We have absolutely nothing to hang our heads at,” Madison coach Josh Newhall said. “Five girls, injuries considered, there’s nothing to be disappointed with.”

The match was moved indoors due to inclement weather and although the courts were smoother with no wind or sun with which to contend, Lucas said she preferred playing outside.

“I’m actually not so big a fan or playing indoors because I really like to use the wind to my advantage,” she said. “We’ve gotten really used to it because May has been a really windy month.”

Lucas cruised through the first set but Morgan came alive in the second and took a 4-3 lead.

“I got really worried for a minute there because all of a sudden she was pulling out these moves I hadn’t seen before,” Lucas said. “I was in my head planning like what I was going to do in the third set. Then luckily I was able to pull through.”

Morgan played No. 1 singles for the Bulldogs a year ago but tore the ACL in her left knee during soccer season. She wears a brace that limits her mobility but was determined to come back for her final year.

Madison’s Caitlyn Morgan keeps her eye on the ball as she hits a return shot to Maranacook’s Karissa Lucas during a Class C South semifinal match Monday in Augusta.

“I love the sport,” she said. “It was really important for me to play. It’s definitely set me back. It’s been frustrating but I’ve worked with it.”

Dwyer hit a number of winners off her two-handed backhand to take command in her match against Holden. She reached the Round of 48 in the state singles tournament this season for a third consecutive year.

Bachelder and Swimm have played together all season with just two losses. They avenged one of those by knocking off Lincoln Academy’s top doubles team in the KVAC championships.

“They work together and keep each other focused on what they’ve got to do,” Maranacook coach Louis Gingras said. “Anna’s got a strong serve, tends to get excited where Grace tends to keep her under control. They communicate real well to let who knows who’s got which ball. That really paid off.”

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