Boothbay Region High School freshman tennis player Laura Chapman made it to the girls state singles tournament’s Round of 16 before losing to the fourth-ranked player in the state, Mya Vincent of Edward Little. 1-6, 5-7. Chapman fought hard in the heat at Bates College Saturday, May 21, leading the second set 4-0. The experience of the fourth seed shined through as Chapman pressed to win the set but fell short on her two set points.

“Laura is the first Seahawk to make the round of 16 since I’ve been coaching,” said BRHS coach Alex Arsenault, who has been coaching at BRHS for 14 years. “We look to her to improve and continue to leave her mark on Maine high school tennis.”

Chapman began the qualifying tournament as the ninth seed in her region, beating a singles player from Gardiner and Erskine, to qualify in the state singles tournament.

“She is the second player I’ve had qualify, with Mackenzie Colby being the first,” said Arsenault.

Chapman defeated Kayla Lockhart of Brewer 7-5, 6-3, then upset the 12 seed Ashlyn Bouchard of Caribou 6-2, 6-2.

Chapman was the only player in this year’s tournament to knock off a seed in the Round of 32, according to Arsenault. She then played Vincent.