Following an 8-7 record and first-round exit from last year’s Class L tournament, Salem girls tennis coach Curt Killion said he believes his team could be a top four team this season – or out of the playoff hunt entirely.

“My guess is that we’ll have a lot of matches come down to if we win or lose one set,” said Killion. “We could be a top team if we can squeak those out, or we could find ourselves at the bottom of the pile.”

Killion has the squad working in tiebreaker scenarios, preparing the athletes to respond with poise in pressure-packed moments.

Senior co-captains Andrea Vinci and Caitlin Peters lead this year. Peters was a top performer in 2008, posting a 12-2 record.

Angela Rullo, also a senior, junior Breanna Edelstein, sophomore Danica Blakslee and freshman Rachel Ward join Vinci and Peters in the top six positions to open the season, though Killion said the rotation is not set.

Ward, a Windham resident, may take the No. 1 spot, but the competition remains wide open for ladder positioning.

In addition, Killion has a logjam just outside the top six, with five players competing for playing time.

Seniors Julianna Blaisdell, Gabriela Cerrentani and Kelsey Donahue join junior Kina Wilbur- Kamien and freshman Cassie Hailson as Blue Devils on the outside looking in, something the coach said is a luxury.

“Say there’s someone not hitting the ball well for some reason, I can with complete confidence have them sit down knowing the players under them can do just as good of a job,” said Killion. “On the other hand, it can be frustrating because I have players who have the talent and can’t be playing.”

Killion said lopsided matches allow him to change the rotation and give inexperienced players a chance, but again, he expects this deep SHS team to battle most foes closely.

“It makes me wish we were able to play more than six players,” said Killion. “We’d probably be state champions.”