2009 Spring Female Athlete of the Year:

ERIN WOODBURY, Senior-Tennis

* SMAA All-Conference singles first team

Erin Woodbury didn’t spend her freshman year at McAuley, but she certainly made up for lost time.
Woodbury capped her high school career this spring by asserting herself as one of the premier girls’ tennis players in the state, helping the Lions re-establish themselves as a top Western Class A contender.

When all was said and done, Woodbury beat every foe but two, led her team to the semifinals and earned The Forecaster’s nod as McAuley’s 2009 Spring Female Athlete of the Year for her dominance and leadership.

Woodbury grew up in Yarmouth and got into tennis seriously in the eighth grade. She played for her hometown school as a freshman, then came to Stevens Avenue. As a sophomore, Woodbury was on the first doubles team as the Lions reached the Class A Final (she was also part of the SMAA champion doubles squad).

After the program was hit hard by graduation, Woodbury moved up to the first singles spot as a junior and was stellar in that role this season as a senior. She reached the Round of 16 of the singles tournament for a second straight year and beat everyone in the regular season except for Scarborough freshman sensation Kasia Jania.

McAuley went 9-3 in the regular season and beat Windham in the quarterfinals, but the Lions’ run ended in the semifinals with a hard-fought loss to eventual regional champion Portland. In that match, Woodbury suffered only her second loss of the year, to Maggie Swann.

Woodbury, who also played soccer, will attend Springfield College in the fall. She’s undecided about a major and expects to play tennis.

Springfield will be fortunate if she does. Erin Woodbury, McAuley’s 2009 Spring Female Athlete of the Year, has shown she’s adept at change and meeting all challenges on the tennis court. Her impact as one of the elite players in the league won’t soon be forgotten.

Coach Joe Kilmartin’s comment: “Erin had a great three years. She was a doubles champion as a sophomore and played first singles as a junior and senior. She only had two losses all season. She’s a great kid. A team leader.”

2008 winner: Katelyn Call (softball)

2007 winner: Abby Iselborn (track)

2006 winner: Abby Iselborn (track)

2005 winner: Abby Iselborn (track)

2004 winner: Maureen Wark (lacrosse and track)

Woodbury

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Sports editor’s note

As usual, selecting the top male and female spring athletes from each school was a challenge, more so in some cases than in others. While coaches and athletic directors were consulted, the ultimate decision was mine, based on seeing all or part of 91 sporting events since mid-April. The following athletes weren’t always the most prolific performers or even necessarily in the spotlight, but I feel that each of them helped elevate their respective teams to greatness. Congratulations to all of the winners!

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