BOYS
1. Waynflete: The Flyers have won 12 consecutive Class C state titles and show no signs of faltering. Seniors Ben Adey, Aidan Kieffer (returning from an injury that derailed his 2019 season) and Connor Feeney form a potent singles lineup, with sophomore Henry Kerr providing further depth. At doubles, returners Henry Moore, Henry Hart, John Moon-Black and Jackson Shurman are joined by Matt Adey, Max Shurman, Henry Florman and Ed Cox, giving Waynflete plenty of options.
2. Greely: After winning only two matches in 2018, the Rangers rebounded the following spring to reach the Class B regional semifinals. They show more signs of improvement this season with a lineup that includes six of their top seven players from 2019. Seniors Carson Bell and Zach Wright and junior Peter Rinehart will jockey for position behind Leif Boddie in singles. Seniors Grant Desnok and Ethan Sligh have doubles experience and three new freshmen join the mix.
3. Falmouth: Despite a 48-match winning streak dating back to 2017, Falmouth is in a state of flux heading into the season, with an entirely new singles lineup (Aiden Hendry, Willie Parker, Jack Forester) after losing potential returners to both tennis and skiing academies. Even with 10 freshmen on a roster of 17, Falmouth remains the team to beat in Class A because graduation took a toll on Kennebunk, Thornton Academy and Deering, the other South regional semifinalists of 2019.
GIRLS
1. Cape Elizabeth: The Capers are attempting to return to the state championship for the first time since their 2016 title run. Senior Blair Hollyday is back atop the singles ladder and Caroline Gentile, who moved to Maine from Florida a year ago, completes a nice 1-2 punch. Junior Sarah Hagan will play No. 3 singles. Classmate Isa Kesselhaut anchors an athletic doubles foursome likely to include senior newcomer Alison Gerety, a standout in basketball and volleyball.
2. Yarmouth: Longtime coach Ann Haradon has retired, meaning boys’ coach Bill Shardlow will also be in charge of the girls. Talented freshman Sofia Mavor vaults to the top of a ladder that includes veterans Abby Hill, Claudia Coolidge and Hannelore Sanokklis. The rest of the lineup is inexperienced, but Shardlow sees “good effort and focus” from the new players and was encouraged by the improvement in preseason.
3. Brunswick: Since 2006, the Class A North title has either gone to Brunswick (four times) or Lewiston (nine). This could be a breakthrough year for the Dragons. Freshman Coco Meserve tops a singles lineup that includes junior Anna Barnes and senior Ella Perham. Senior Lia Rand leads a group of five vying for doubles slots, along with Emily Davison (who played at Mt. Ararat), Abbey Sharpe, Sadie Levy and Hazel Goodwin.
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