PCHS girls tennis rolls into fourth place in EM Class C Heal Point standings
By Bill Pearson
Staff Writer
GUILFORD — It seems the Piscataquis Community High School girls’ tennis team is coming up aces this season due to a strong mixture of veterans and newcomers. The Pirates have posted a 7-2 mark this spring which places them fourth in the Eastern Maine Class C standings.
Observer photo/Bill Pearson
TOUGH COMPETITOR — Freshman Lucinda Wingert is leading the Piscataquis Community High School tennis team’s charge up the Eastern Maine Class C Heal Point standings. Wingert is 8-1 in singles play which has helped her team post a 7-2 record and is in fourth place in the Eastern Maine Class C competition.
The Pirates continued their early season success by posting three victories last week. On May 1, PCHS defeated Class B foe, Foxcroft Academy, 4-1, and followed up the next day with a doubleheader victory over Penobscot Valley, of Howland.
The Pirates are led by freshman Lucinda Wingert, whose all-court game has put opponents away for most of the season. Wingert is 8-1 on the season which included a victory over Foxcroft’s top player Tia Tondreau, 8-2.
Piscataquis coach Emily Wilson says Wingert possesses both athleticism and court awareness which makes her a top player.
“She has an all-around game. She’s quick and she doesn’t hit a lot of bad shots,” Wilson said. “Lucinda’s only lost one match to Sumner’s top player who is an excellent player as well.”
Wingert also defeated her Penobscot Valley opponent twice last week. She beat the Howlers’ No. 1 Nicole Hatch, 8-1, in the first match and, 8-5, in match two.
The Pirates also have two other solid singles players in their lineup. In the second slot is Wingert’s older sister, Belle. The junior has solid ground strokes and a strong serve. She won two of her three matches last week. Belle Wingert toppled FA’s No. 2 player MacKenzie Coiley, 8-2, and split two matches against Penobscot Valley No. 2 Amy Hallett. Belle Wingert defeated Hallet, 8-0, in match one, but the Howler prevailed in a close second match, 9-7.
The Pirates’ No. 3 singles player is freshman Alanna Page. She won all three of her matches using her excellent footwork and ability to move her opponents around the court.
“She’s very athletic and quick. Alanna puts pressure on her opponents by constantly moving them side to side,” Wilson said.
Another major factor in the team’s success is the depth on their roster. The top doubles team features two players who cracked the singles lineup a year ago. The duo of juniors Jenna Chapman and Katelyn Campbell won all their of their matches last week. Both are experienced players who display good attacking skills in doubles.
While the Pirate girls are thriving in Class C, their county rival is struggling in Class B. The Ponies have posted a 2-6 record which puts them in 13th place in the Heal Points. Foxcroft coach Ryan Dankert believes his team is slowly finding their form this season.
“Our team has shown improvement in each match. We’ve played some tough competition, but our girls have been competitive in most of the matches,” Dankert said.
Foxcroft lost two matches later in the week. The Ponies were swept, 5-0, by Mount Desert Island on May 3 and lost to Dexter, 4-1, on May 5. The Ponies defeated Penquis, 3-2, on Monday.
Foxcroft and Piscataquis play each other on Wednesday with matches being played in both Dover-Foxcroft and Guilford.
Observer photo/Bill Pearson
NO. 1 PONY — Foxcroft senior Tia Tondreau has emerged as the Ponies’ top singles player this year. Tondreau has progressed from playing second doubles as a sophomore, third singles as a junior to the No. 1 singles player as a senior. Foxcroft coach Ryan Dankert said she has become more aggressive with her shot making which makes her a tough competitor on the court.