Boothbay Region High School boys tennis coach Mark Gorey, now in his ninth year, sees the 2019 team being competitive, despite having only six players. Two players graduated in 2018 and one player, junior and number one singles player Rowan Kristan, is studying abroad through a YMCA program this spring.

Senior co-captain Henry Drapeau is the team’s “stalwart,” said Gorey.

“He’s been with me for four years and after years of playing doubles, he will be playing singles this year. He is learning the footwork that comes with playing singles.”

Gorey said the players voted on the team’s captains and he outlined that he wanted one team captain to be the organizer and one to be the motivator.

“Henry is our team’s organizer. The players can depend on him for any information they can’t get from me,” said Gorey.

The team motivator is sophomore co-captain Mason Erhard.

“Mason is a good player who gets the team going at practices by leading warm-up drills,” said Gorey. “I am looking for him to have a good season.”

Two of the other returnees are sophomores Ryan Russell and Cody Field. New to the team are German exchange student, sophomore Vincent Salzwedel, and freshman Bobby Clarkson.

“Bobby has played tennis for a while and has the skills to help us,” said Gorey. Clarkson will also compete on the sailing team.

During the 2018 rebuilding season, the Seahawks made the Class C South playoffs in sixth place and lost to Dirigo, 3-2, in the quarterfinals.

Being concerned with wins and losses is not what Gorey teaches his players. “I always pass along the message to the players that this is a lifelong sport,” said Gorey.