View 3 photos

LEWISTON — For the sixth year in a row, the Yarmouth boys tennis team sits atop Class B.

“We’re pretty lucky that we have a big tennis tradition in town,” Yarmouth coach Gabe Gordon said. “We have a lot of players that come into our program having already played tennis, but really, we work on the simple things, we work on strategy, keeping the ball in the court, our mental game, and just learning how to compete to the best of our ability with every match.”

Backed by a dominant showing at singles and doubles, the Clippers buried Foxcroft Academy, 5-0.

On the girls side, Lincoln Academy edged Old Town, 3-2. The Eagles swept the three singles matches, including two that went to a third set.

“It’s exhilarating,” Lincoln coach Melissa Burroughs said. “It was just an awesome match. I mean, Old Town was just a great — it was a great battle. It was so gratifying to finish that season that way.”

Senior Andre Violette set the tone for the Yarmouth boys at No. 1 singles, winning 6-3, 6-0 over Jerry Nguyen. Violette fell behind early but then quickly regained his form to cruise to the straight-sets victory.

“Of course, trying to go for the championship, but I was trying not to focus on the outcome,” Violette said. “I was trying to give my best effort. This team’s worked really hard, and I just wanted to give my all for them.”

Yarmouth’s first doubles duo, Aidan Forrest and Aidan Brooks, also turned in a dominant showing, beating Tom Nguyen and Lucas Machado 6-0, 6-0.

“We just stayed focused and we just kept talking throughout the match, like what we’re going to do on the next point, and that just really helps. Communication is huge,” Brooks said. 

CASE OF THE YUPS

Lincoln’s No. 2 singles player, Olive Siegel, had the match of her career against Ally Caron. The pair played three sets, with Caron winning the first 6-2 before Siegel rallied to take the next two sets, 7-5 and 6-3.

“In the first set, I think I kind of wasn’t as focused as I normally am,” Siegel said. “ I was hitting out a little bit more than I should have, so I talked to my coach, and something that we work on and practice is like saying something when we hit the ball just to make sure we keep our eye on it.”

By saying “yup” every time the ball met her racquet for the next two sets, Siegel was able to maintain focus through the long games that made up the remainder of the match. Ultimately, Siegel, like Lincoln No. 1 singles player London Hunter, secured victory.

The championship was a big deal for the seniors, who last won a title three years ago to the day as freshmen.

“It’s really nerve wracking, honestly. I mean, watching it go from losing to winning and back and forth, it’s very stressful. But I just try to focus on my teammates,” Hunter said. “It feels amazing, it’s really crazy. But we’ve worked so hard and all of us seniors are so sad to go, but it’s amazing to leave a good mark.”