BY MATT STOUT

Mike Jolicoeur said throughout this season he believes his Salem boys tennis team is a year away from being a true contender in Class L.

Boy, what a way to spend the year getting there.

Despite dropping an 8-1 decision to No. 2 Manchester West in the state tournament semifinals on Saturday, May 26, the third-seeded Blue Devils completed one of its best seasons in program history, finishing at 13-3 with a third straight appearance in the league’s final four round.

Players and coaches agreed that it was frustrating to once again make it to the verge of the league final and once again walk away with a loss. But in a season with expectations of rebuilding, the Blue Devils constructed a team that not only challenged the state’s best but will remain mostly intact  next spring.

Salem loses just one player in its varsity lineup; senior No. 6 singles player Eric Ho, who couldn’t make the West match-up, was replaced by Jordan Faulconer, the team’s only winner on the day.

“It’s not a good feeling to get so close each year. But like I said, the guys know what kind of team we have, and I think there’s an anticipation even for next year,” said Jolicoeur, who shares coaching duties with Gary Duranko.

Of course, the loss to rival West will sting, as the Blue Knights closed the match out before it could even reach doubles. Faulconer held on to beat C.J. Beck, 8-3, and No. 4 singles player Joe Vastl looked in good position to do the same before West’s Dylan Fischer erased a 5-0 deficit and forced the game into a tiebreaker, where he nipped Vastl 7-4.

But Vastl and teammates Jeff Bunker at No. 1, Mike Cohen at No. 2, Bobby Pike at No. 3 and Tim Briggs at No. 5 all plan to build upon the experience they gained this spring.

Bunker and Cohen jumped from three spots lower in the order last season, and handled the switch nearly flawlessly. Cohen was perfect in singles throughout the regular season before dropping two matches in the playoffs.

“I think the guys are pretty psyched about who’s returning,” said Jolicoeur. “Give them a day for this one. We’ll be on the court Tuesday, hitting it around.”