LEWISTON — The message came late Friday, after Waynflete boys’ tennis coach Jeff Madore had finished his final practice of the season.

George Stevens Academy, the Eastern Maine champion from Blue Hill, would like to start earlier than scheduled because of a Saturday night banquet honoring seniors in advance of graduation ceremonies.

Isaac Salas celebrates with his Waynflete teammates after the Flyers beat George Stevens Academy 4-1 Saturday at Lewiston High School to win their eighth consecutive Class C boys’ tennis state championship. Michael C. York/Special to the Telegram

Peter Michalakes, left, and Stephen Epstein of Waynflete compete during Waynflete’s 4-1 victory against George Stevens Academy in the Class C boys’ tennis finals Saturday at Lewiston. Photos by Michael C. York/Special to the Telegram

Lena Rich of North Yarmouth Academy returns a shot during her 6-0, 6-2 victory against Courtney Parent of Van Buren in the No. 1 singles match during NYA’s 5-0 victory.

The Flyers were more than happy to comply, and made sure not to linger on court any longer than necessary.

“We knew that if we play well, we should win,” said Isaac Salas, the state singles champion who led a singles sweep Saturday in Waynflete’s 4-1 victory against George Stevens at Lewiston High.

The Class C state title was the eighth straight for Waynflete (15-1), which also defeated the Class A and B state champions (Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth) in the regular season.

Later in the day, the North Yarmouth Academy girls completed a second straight Western Maine sweep of the six tennis state titles by beating Van Buren 5-0, winning eight of the 10 sets by shutout.

“It’s hard to compete with this,” said Courtney Parent of Van Buren after losing 6-0, 6-2 at No. 1 singles to Lena Rich of NYA.

“I mean, they’re crazy good on this side. Our closest indoor court is half an hour away (in Madawaska), and all the girls on our team also play soccer and basketball.”

Mina Stam and Mary Morrison also won at singles for NYA, dropping only three games between them. Hannah Chapman and Corinne Poitras won by shutout at first doubles, and Livy Stam and Hannah Hungerford did the same at second doubles.

NYA last reached the state final in 2010, which marked the end of a four-year reign.

No Eastern Maine team ever has won the Class C girls’ title.

“It’s never good to assume too much,” Rich said, “but as a team we were pretty confident going in.”

In addition to Salas, who won the final 11 games of his match after being broken on his first serve, Clancy Mitchell won by shutout at No. 3 singles and Brandon Ameglio won 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2.

“We tried to get it done not as quickly as possible,” Mitchell said, “but as efficiently as possible.”

The teams split doubles, with Jake Soley and Jacob Greene of Waynflete winning 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2, and Peter Michalakes and Stephen Epstein falling to Tim Dentino and Matt Stephens of George Stevens 0-6, 7-5, 10-6 in a tiebreak used because the overall outcome had been decided.

“I’ve played with a different partner every year at the state championships,” Soley said, “and the two guys from George Stevens were new, so it definitely mixes things up and keeps it interesting. That was fun.”

George Stevens lost in the final to Waynflete for the sixth straight year.

“I’d choose somebody else if they gave me a choice but they don’t,” said George Stevens Coach Larry Gray. “No, I’m just kidding. It’s an honor. They’re a great program.”

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