Souhegan's Calie Perrin will be atop the Sabers singles lineup heading into the 2024 season that begins this week. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

They’ve been the best local high school girls tennis team lately, the Souhegan High School Sabers.

Will they be that this year? They were the only local to reach the semifinals, but there could be some improvement among some Division I teams to challenge that feat, especially at Nashua South, North and Bishop Guertin. A lot of teams will be looking to break into the Dover-Derryfield club (Dover’s beaten the Cougars in the last two finals.)

South had a big tryout turnout for new coach Karen Cullison, who previously had coached at Stevens High School for more than 10 years, and Bishop Guertin has talent back. “We’re looking forward to a great season,” Cards coach Marcel Gamache said.

Let’s take a look as most teams are scheduled – that’s a key word – to be in action by Wednesday.

DIVISION I

The Cards improved from a down year two years ago, but they could take bigger step forward with several returnees, including last year’s No. 1, senior Sophia Sears, and No. r Sofia Zielinski (junior). Sophomores Lydia Miller and Jaclyn Krisciunas are also back, and the addition of German exchange student Ina Kemme could be a boost. Newcomers Nantania Fernandez (freshman) and Arisa Saichit (senior) could be heard from.

‘We are in a great situation to put a strong team together for this season,” Gamache said.

It’s been crazy busy over at Nashua South, where Cullison is getting acclimated to a lot of players new to her, and a ton new to the program.

The keys so far: junior Hannah Jacob, sophomore Krina Dani, freshmen Piya Chokshi and Riya Shroff, senior Nishitha Matta, freshmen Saanvi Praturu and Gowri Akkineni, and sophomores Soha Patel, Vidhi Pawar, Alexa Lemire and Teresa Matthew.

“It’s been insane,” Cullison said as she’s found the difference between coaching at Stevens and South (in numbers). “We’ve got lots of young players, but they are a very impressive group of young athletes. … I’m certainly looking forward to seeing how we match up as the season progresses.”

Nashua North has some familiar names back for coach Bob Viens for an experienced top four: Junior Mary Pappas atop the ladder followed by seniors Sanya Rane, Clare Tran and Caitlyn Mamos.

“We should have a pretty solid lineup,” Viens said. “It’s always a crapshoot to what the other teams have.”

Alvirne, which returned to Division I only to fall in the first round despite a competitive regular season under Mo Leclerc, will be very young. – 11 freshmen came out.

“This is going to be an interesting year,” Leclerc said, his team having graduated four of its top six. The two key returnees, juniors Zailyn O’Leary and Emma Coppi will make big leaps, O’Leary from six to No. 2 on the ladder and Coppi, last year’s team MVP, from No. 4 to No. 1.

“This will be a growing year,” Leclerc said. “Not sure what to expect from such a young team.”

Keep an eye on Merrimack. Don Chisholm moved over from the boys to take the girls program, and the Tomahawks had 22 players come out. Plus they’re returning all but one starter, led by junior Katie Costa, who went 11-3 at No. 1 last year. Other returning ladder players are seniors Jess Harden and Emily Theriault, plus junior Lina Eldieb. Junior Maya Scott plus seniors Madisyn Allen, Kayla Scot and Lily Fanchiang also should compete for spots.

“Returning all but one starter from last year, we’re looking to be competitive for a playoff spot,” Chisholm said.

DIVISION II

The Sabers are the Sabers, which last year was the best local team, reaching the Division II semis, and lost just one player from that lineup and replaced her with freshman Ori Dart. Dart, No. 1 sophomore Callie Perrin, and No. 2 junior Caroline Drum form a tough top half of the singles ladder.

“We’ll be competitive this year,” Sabers coach Bo Dean said. “Those three will provide a solid corps for our squad.

“Division II looks solid with Portsmouth, Winnacunnet and Oyster River providing stiff competition. It should be a fun year.”

Milford, meanwhile, has just two returning players from what was a very small roster, sophomores Willa Audley and Shile Chappel. But the good news is the Spartans have nine new players who have helped give the program life. Ellie Nassy and Jocelyn Shaw are two who should compete for key roles.

“The newcomers are athletic and excited about tennis, and are picking it up quickly,” Milford coach Nancy McManus said. “We don’t have experience but we have athleticism and lots of enthusiasm. We’re excited to get started.”

So are the Hollis Brookline Cavaliers with two of their top players back, No. 1 Keira Swart (senior) and junior No. 2 Anuhya Chilakapati. Others who are back include senior Emily Frederickson and sophomore Sapph Sidhu, who will be helped out by newcomers Anna Heiplik (freshman) and Kate Berrigan (junior). The Cavs had a lot of new players try out.

.

Newsletter