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GIRLS TENNIS 2021: Sophs are now seniors to lead locals

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Apr 9, 2021

Junior Abby Finchum will be one of the key players for the Nashua South girls tennis team this season, which begins in full next week. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

It’s been nearly two years since some of the better high school girls tennis teams made – or tried to make – their mark.

The Bishop Guertin Cardinals saw their hopes for a title fall short in the 2019 Division I semifinals against Derryfield School.

Nashua South captured its first tourney win in several years in the quarterfinals, making the semis for the first time in recent memory.

Thus, 2020 was going to be another step forward – the last shot for many of a talented group at BG, and another chance for South to push forward.

Of course, that didn’t happen for either as the season never occurred. But they’re back beginning Monday, and some of the names may still be familiar. But the goals may be different.

“Two words,” Panthers coach Charles Gray said. “Stay healthy.”

Thus no one is really taking the competition for granted. But trying to measure everything is difficult.

“This is a hard year to anticipate how teams will do after a year with no matches,” Titans coach Bob Viens said. “Teams that have players who were able to do off-season play should fair best.”

Here’s a look at how the season may shape up in the divisions:

DIVISION I

Guertin could be strong again in a division dominated by Bedford and Derryfield if some of the sophomores from two years ago who are now seniors return – Katelyn Nichols, Amy Maalouf, and Hannah Gilbertson all were keys on the 2019 team.

Can Nashua South return to the semis? Perhaps. Abby Finchum, now a junior, played well in that 5-4 quarterfinal win over Manchester Central two years ago, and she’s back. Other Panther keys are senior Priya Shokeen, junior Katrina Tsao, and sophomore Margaret Wager.

North will be young with six freshmen, and two top players who hadn’t played since they were freshmen. Juniors Ashley Goh and Andrea Milano are returning from succcessful freshman seasons, and current frosh Lillian Acevado could break into the lineup as a possible No. 3 on the ladder.

“The other five freshmen are athletic,” Titans coach Bob Viens said, “and should develop quickly.”

Merrimack has a new coach, Amy Tupper, and three returnees from 2019: seniors Vitalia Brock and Sarah Hardy, plus junior Shu Grosso. Grosso had a great freshman season two years ago.

“Their resilience,” Tupper said, “will be a great example to new teammates.”

Alvirne had an upperclassmen dominated team two years ago. But they have upperclassmen coming back, with senior Ryan Dionne and juniors Gabby Cummins, Ashley Green, Sophia DeBenedictis and Lindsay Gasdia. There are a host of sophomores and freshmen, many who will add depth and round out the ladder.

DIVISION II

Milford had a good year three ago reaching the semis before falling to Portsmouth, but didn’t quite reach that level two years ago. But this spring there are key returnees who could make a difference.

Look for seniors Grace Carpenter and Erin Jasper, plus juniors Adrianna George and Emma Grovesteen to provide some help for a team with not great numbrs. Carpenter and George may be the most experienced.

“And Emma and Erin have positive attitudes and some high school match experience to help give our team some depth,” Spartans coach Nancy McManus said.

Souhegan will be a competitive team, led by senior captain Anna Goyette and junior captain Maddie Daniel. Two key newcomers may be sophomore Tylee Jancar and freshman Mishka Towner.

“We’re hoping for a safe and complete season,” Sabers coach Bo Dean said.

Hollis Brookline has a new coach in Dalia Paradie, who has USTA experience. Seniors Delaney Weimer, Lia Eisenberg, Samantha Morse, Hannah Escandon, Natasha Ferro and Casie Farnworth are looking forward to being factors, and all or most played two years ago. Freshman Keira Swart leads a group of young newcomers.

DIVISION III

Wilton-Lyndeborough still doesn’t have a boys team, and no seniors for this year’s girls squad but four retuning juniors who were promising newcomers two years ago.

Erin MacDonald and Elizbeth Jacob (2019’s No. 3 and 4 on the singles ladder) will now compete for Nos. 1 and 2, and probably be the top doubles pair.

Juniors Madeleine Straw and Senja Sours (No. 3 doubles in 2019) will be the No. 2 doubles team and vie for the No. 3 and 4 spots. So Warriors coach Fran Bujak has a lot of his ladder in place.

But not a busy schedule. “Being in Division III in the southern part of the state will result in frewer matches this season with fewer local teams participating,” Bujak said.

But still, the Warriors should be competitive.

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