The Souhegan girls tennis team last spring celebrated its Division II state title win over Portsmouth at the Alvirne courts in Hudson. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

The Souhegan High School girls tennis team kicked the door open on a steaming hot day late last spring, completing one of the hardest things to accomplish: an unbeaten championship season.

Now, 10 months later, the question is, can the Sabers hold serve?

“We hope,” Sabers coach Bo Dean said, “to have another good season.”

And they certainly should, because they return two-time Telegraph Player of the Year Callie Perrin and lost only a couple of players on the ladder to graduation.

Elsewhere in the area, Bishop Guertin is looking for good things from a team that won double figures in matches, Nashua North and South should be competitve; the Titans have new coaches for both genders as Dave Hall takes over the boys while Jothan Massey and Heidi Paris will guide the girls. Pinkerton, Bedford and defending champ Derryfield are the strong non-local contenders.

In Division II, Hollis Brookline has good numbers and Milford has some talent as well as Merrimack

Here’s a look:

DIVISION I

Nashua North is hoping to return again to the postseason with a mix of experience and newcomers. Seniors Mariana Cajigas and Ishani Sharma lead the way, followed by juniors Leana Srinivas, Louise Lorillard, Aleena Reth, Addison Bueno. On the younger side, there’s sophomores Gabi Desjardins, Brigette Bennett, Paite Wholey, Anjali Srinivas,Gabrielle Mrais and Sophia Garcia.

“If early signs are any indication, you can expect competitive matches, improved skill development, and a group determined to leave its mark this spring,” Paris said.

Nashua South, meanwhile, lost a close match in the quarters last year to Keene but there some familiar names returning. Keys are junior Piya Chokshi, senior Krina Dani, plus juniors Gowri Akkineni and Rya Shroff, and sophomore Ananya Arun. Looking to make strides are seniors Zeynep Demirdag and Vidhi Pawr, plus freshman Aki Galvan Tellez.

“We’re looking forward to a good year,” Panthers coach Karen Cullison said. “Lots of new faces, and the promise of a continuing program. … We’ll see what we can learn (from playing the upper echelon) and move on.”

At BG, the Cards have a nucleus returning, including sophomore Georgie Howell, senios Jacklyn Krisciunas and Lydia Miller, sophomoreDayana Cotito, junior Nantania Fernandez and junior Faith Hebert. Newcomers Anna Pellott (freshman) and junior Ainsley Flood will also help out.

“We have a great team this year,” Cards coach Marcel Gamache said. “I think we’ll be solid 1-6 (on the ladder). There won’t be much difference between 1-6. This will be a deep team for BG and I’m looking forward to see how this season develops.”

DIVISION II

The Sabers have the Perrin sisters, Callie and Emma, and two incoming freshmen who will make noise in Marielah Dart and Lili Helfand. They know the spotlight is on them.

“We expect strong competition from Portsmouth, Alvirne, among others,” Dean said. “We’re looking forward to a fun and exciting season.”

Hollis Brookline had a tourney season last year, just not enough to challenge the upper echelon, but the program is in good shape. Senior Sapph Sidhu, plus juniors Anna Heiplik, Max Walsh, Carlie Holt and Maddie Barich are all back while there’s also a large influx of new players that makes for a strong JV team.

“We had quite a few new players come out for the team that look very promising,” Cavs coach Dalia Paradie said.

Milford will be led by No. 1 Willa Audley, and newcomers Jordan Shaw andCami Sayward. “We have a bunch of athletic newcomers,” Spartans coach Nancy McManus said.

The Tomahawks have seniors Avery Cruz and Maya Fredrickson, as ell as juniors Stella Tomaselli, Casidy Callahan, Mirand Schwartz and Maya Kricheli to lead the push for perhaps a second straight postseason. Abby Koss (senior), plus sophomores Kiara Valverde and Sahasra Vennom are newcomers who could play a role.

“We’re hoping to make it back to the playoffs this year,” Merrimack coach Don Chisholm said.