With a roster of only 11 players, its a safe bet that everyone on the Douglas High boys' tennis team is going to see a lot of playing time this year.
"We're going to need that," coach Mike McLaughlin said. "Anytime you aren't very deep, you need everyone to have experience so that you can plug people in different spots if you have to."
With eight returning players from a squad that qualified for the regional team playoffs last year along with a returning regional individual qualifying doubles team and singles player, the Tigers, who went 6-5 overall last year, still retain plenty of talent.
"This is a great group of kids," McLaughlin said. "They're a pleasure to coach. We will need solid performances from all players to earn a return trip to regionals this year because we have fewer on our roster."
Leading the group of returnees will be junior third-year singles player and first-team all-leaguer Robert Shawhan, who went 29-4 overall last year and has a career record of 49-9.
Joining him in the singles ranks will be senior Keagan Chipp, new to the team this year but hardly new to tennis.
Chipp spent time at the prestigious Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida and has returned to Carson Valley for his senior year.
"He's a very good player and he and Robert are going to be able to go up against anyone in the league this year," McLaughlin said. "They're both the type that, if they wanted to, could further their tennis careers at the next level."
After those two, senior fourth-year starter John McLaughlin is expected to see time in both singles and doubles.
Andrew Soloman and Spike Neri, who went to regionals as a doubles team after posting a 13-14 record last year are likely going to get the nod as the Tigers' No. 1 squad this year, but they'll receive a strong challenge from juniors Tim Doran and Marshall Jessup.
"All those guys played a lot over the summer," McLaughlin said. "You just have to do that. You can't be ready to play competitive tennis in three weeks of practice. It's so important to stay in shape and keep playing during the offseason"
Returning players Aaron Wennhold and Alex Sunderland have each made a lot of progress during the offseason after playing their first year last season.
"They're both much-improved and they'll see a lot of playing time this year," McLaughlin said.
First-year players Bill Sunderland and Brandon Johnson are expected to contribute as well.
Douglas won't waste any time heading right into the thick of its schedule with defending regional champion Galena coming to town Thursday.
The Tigers then travel to league-rival Carson.
"All of the teams that beat us last year have gotten stronger, but with the addition of Keagan, this year's club is about as strong," McLaughlin said.
