Sports Editor
CARIBOU — How does one improve upon a 14-1 campaign that fell just one match shy of reaching the state championship game?
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr
Katie Keaton prepares for a serve during a Caribou girls varsity tennis practice last Wednesday at the Teague Park courts. The Vikings begin regular seaason play Saturday against John Bapst.
That is the question facing veteran Caribou girls tennis coach John Habeeb.
With its entire starting roster returning, the Caribou girls have to be considered one of the teams favored to win not only the Eastern Class B region, but a state title as well.
“We lost to Waterville 3-2 [in the regional championship],” said coach Habeeb who is embarking on his 23rd season coaching tennis at Caribou High School. “Waterville had a team laden with seniors – six of its starting seven – while I had none on my team.”
Members of the 2010 Vikings are seniors Elizabeth Barbosa and Missy Nadeau; juniors Jenna Selander and Laura Collins; sophomores Carlee Pinette, Katie Keaton and Alyson Michaud; and freshmen Ashley Richards, Alexa Massey and Megan Doody. The managers are Megan Jandreau and Emma Duplissie-Cyr.
“We barely lost last year to a team full of seniors,” Habeeb said. “Our team is loaded with some very good athletes. We are strong in singles and doubles and we have gained valuable playoff experience.”
Selander will be the Vikings first singles ace again this season. She was the No. 1 seed in the region a year ago and brings a wealth of tennis experience to the team.
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr
Jenna Selander has a little fun during last Wednesday’s Caribou girls varsity tennis team practice. Selander is playing first singles for a team expected to be among the best in Eastern Maine Class B this season.
“Jenna is a very dominant player and has great athleticism,” the coach said.
Collins will be Caribou’s second singles player and brings a strong sense of competition to the team. Pinette, a hard-working athlete, will start the season as the No. 3 singles player, according to the coach. Both Selander and Collins qualified for the state singles tournament a year ago.
The first doubles team will be comprised of Nadeau and Barbosa, with Richards and Massey the likely candidates for second doubles.
“Challenge matches are ongoing and positions could change in the future,” Habeeb said. “Nadeau plays well in big matches and rises to the competition, while Barbosa is steady and reliable and has played tennis her whole life.”
The coach added Keaton will be the Vikings’ No. 8 player and the first to be called upon should one of the starters be absent. She will be followed by Michaud on the depth chart. Both reserve players will likely move into starting spots next season, or sooner if needed.
Caribou opens its season Saturday against John Bapst in Bangor.
