PI girls tennis team faces tough schedule
By Jon Gulliver
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The regular season for high school tennis is almost here and the Presque Isle Wildcat girls are still searching for who will be playing at what spots.
TWO-HANDED BACKHAND — Presque Isle freshman Jenna Hallet looks to play of the No. 2 doubles team for the Wildcats tennis team. 
Third-year coach Monica Bearden said she has 11 players on this year’s roster with six back from last year, but only four of those were in the ladder lineup of the top seven.
This preseason it has become clear senior Dani Wolland will be the No. 1 singles player, a spot she played last year when she compiled a 6-7 record.
“I expect her to have a strong season,” said Bearden.
Junior Kayla Giardin is slotted in the second singles position. She played doubles last year.
Battling for the third singles position are senior Melissa Carson or sophomore Sara Gilson.
Freshman Hilary Bouchard will be on the first doubles team. The second doubles team will consist of senior Chelsey Carroll and either sophomore Blair Bailey or freshman Jenna Hallet.
Also on the roster are senior Bethany Beckwith, sophomore Lora Ireland and freshman Frances Mendieta-Castro.
“I expect the players to push themselves to strive to be their best in every aspect of practice so it will carry over into matches,” said Bearden.
After going 7-5 last spring, Bearden said that would be a realistic target for this team due to its tough schedule.
“Caribou, Fort Kent and MDI are always extremely strong,” the coach said. “Dani is going to have to be above .500 and I feel confident she is capable of doing that. My third singles and doubles teams will need to step up and that could cause some upsets.”
The Wildcats open up their season on Thursday, April 26 at 3:30 p.m. in Caribou against the Vikings. Their first home match is on Saturday, April 28 at noon against MDI.
