WARSAW – Christopher Herendeen admits that he’s a better doubles player than flying solo as a singles competitor.

The WCHS senior also knows that he will probably play both, at least early in the season, for his Tiger squad.

“I’m okay with anything,” said Herendeen, one of only two seniors for coach Rick Orban’s team this fall. “Doubles is fun because it’s fast-paced and the points are quicker. I think that I’m better at doubles, but I expect to play a mixture of doubles and singles this season.”

Herendeen was playing No. 1 doubles at the end of the 2014 season. He helped Warsaw claim its third straight sectional title before the Tigers lost 3-2 to conference rival Plymouth in a regional semifinal match.

“I expect this team to go far this year,” said Herendeen. “We’ve got good guys with great attitudes. The attitudes have been impressive in the preseason. Everyone has been positive.

“I just want to be as positive as I can with our guys. We have some guys that are not very experienced. They just need the attitude to go out there and give it their best.”

Orban, whose team lost four seniors (including all three singles players) from a 9-7 team, expects Herendeen to play a big role this season.

“I need Chris to be a leader and set the tone and be an example for the rest of the guys,” Orban remarked. “He has accepted that and enjoyed it in the preseason. His attitude has been great.”

Orban will also count on juniors Ryan Wettschurack, Justin Stout, Andrew Gauger and David Homme and sophomore Colton Lind to all play key roles this fall. Stout and Homme played No. 2 doubles last season for the Tigers.

“It’s kind of bizarre this year in that I have six guys who can play singles or doubles,” said Orban. “They all keep beating each other so far and that’s what I expected. I have five different lineups right now and I’m comfortable with all of them.

“I think this will be a good team and I’m looking forward to the season. Plymouth will be extremely tough again, but I think that we should be right there. My focus is always on the postseason and we play a tough schedule this year that will only make us better. I think that if the guys all stay together as a team that we will be tough.”

Warsaw opens its season Aug. 18 at Westview.

Wawasee Warriors

Key Returnees: Cal Heinisch, Nathan Perek, Nate Haines

Key Losses: Brayton Fretz, Jake Hutchinson

Key Newcomers: Trevor Haessig, Graham Perek

Coach Rhodes’ Comments: “A lot of our guys played over the winter and you can tell that there is a big difference already. We want to get higher up in the NLC, that would be nice. Then, of course, my goal is always to win the sectional. I think we have a shot at doing that with this group of guys. Warsaw lost a few guys, and they always fill spots pretty well, but I think if we get our guys to play like they should, then we can compete with that sectional field.”

Whitko Wildcats

Key Returnees: Bailey Platt, Nick Rose

Key Losses: N/A

Key Newcomers: Micah Cokl, Austin Hallowell, Cory Hersha, Tim Mensch, Bill Stump

Coach Cornell’s Comments: “This is a great group of guys to be working with this season. They are motivated and setting individual and team goals for the season. I am really looking forward to watching them as they develop into the students and athletes they desire to become this year.”

Tippecanoe Valley Vikings

Key Returnees: Nick Caudill, Trevor Neeley, Kane Stellar, Keith Wright

Key Losses: Wyatt Nelson

Key Newcomers: Seth Hoffman, Dakota Parker

Coach Shambaugh’s Comments: “We’re still awfully young as most of our guys have one year varsity experience. We still have a long way to go, but I look for us to be much improved and to be okay by the end of the season. I think we will be solid at No. 1 and 2 singles with Neeley and Wright.”

Triton Trojans

Key Returnees:  Dalton Bailey, Gavin Eads, Mace Eads, Keegan Mosier

Key Losses: Jared Fisher

Key Newcomers: Chase Butler, Aaron Stichter

Coach Peckham’s Comments: “We’re kind of rebuilding this year, but I expect us to have a solid team and have a winning year. We only have nine players right now so we will need our younger guys to step up.”

Note: The Hoosier North Conference, which Triton joined this year, only has four schools (Triton, LaVille, Knox and North Judson) with boys tennis teams this fall.