WARSAW – Warsaw girls tennis coach Rick Orban sees a lot to like up and down his roster this season.

The Tigers boast talent, experience and depth heading into the 2016 campaign.

“We are expecting good things,” said Orban. “We definitely have talent and are solid across the board.”

The Tigers return five players from last year’s team that finished at 10-10 and won its 15th straight sectional title. The group is led by a stellar sophomore class.

Liza Lewis, who ended last season at No. 1 singles, is expected to lead the way. The soft-spoken sophomore southpaw claimed a win for the Tigers in their 4-1 season-ending loss to Plymouth in a regional semifinal match in 2015.

“I’m super excited about this season,” said Lewis. “I want to be at No. 1, but I think that we all want that. We all push each other.  I just expect to get better as the season goes. I don’t feel much pressure at No. 1. I’m only a sophomore and I just want to improve.”

The trio of sophomores Lewis, Ella Knight and Colette Smith should handle the singles lineup. Knight, who ended the season at No. 3 last year, has been sick in the preseason which has affected competition for lineup spots.

“Nothing is set in stone,” noted Orban. “We have nine or 10 players competing for the top seven spots. I think we are going to be strong no matter who is at No. 1, 2 and 3 singles for us.

“The girls just have to embrace the position that they are playing. If they understand that it’s about the team and not about the individuals, we will be fine.”

The doubles lineup is slated to have junior Athena Schlitt and sophomore Hannah Rice at No. 1. Rice played No. 1 doubles and Schlitt No. 2 doubles at the end of last season.

“They are playing well together and make a strong team,” stated Orban of his top doubles duo.

The Tigers will look to sophomore Grace Miller at one of the spots at No. 2 doubles. Miller is expected to be paired with either senior Rosie Fleming or freshman Rachel Boyle. Junior Chelsey Farling is also in the mix.

Warsaw opens its season at Canterbury April 12. The home opener is versus Columbia City April 14.

Tippecanoe Valley Vikings

Key Returners: Seniors: Morgan Brazo, Brooke Danner, Cassidy Cave. Juniors: Aerin Shewman, Kennedy Niedbalski. Sophomore: Lea Stouder.

Coach Stacy Lind Comments:  “I am excited that we have we have eight new players this year and looking forward to seeing the girls growth.”

Triton Trojans

Key Returners: Senior: Shayla May (1 singles). Juniors: Quinn Downing (3 singles), Siera Sauer (1 doubles alternate). Sophomores: Kolbie Mason (2 singles), Emma Ross (1 doubles), Hannah Wvnemacher (1 doubles), Morgan McFarland (2 doubles), Tatum Thompson (2 doubles).

Key Losses: Kaelyn Mason (1 singles), Kylie Mason (1 doubles).

Key Newcomer: Freshman: Kaitlyn Bailey.

Coach Al Peckham’s Comments: “Even though we are a young team still,  I feel like we are a strong team. I also believe we are the favorite to win the HNAC. Plymouth lost some key players, so the sectional is up grabs.”

Wawasee Warriors

Whitko Wildcats

Key Returners: Senior: Mikayla Findlay. Juniors: Morgan Keirn, Delaney Keirn. Sophomores: Jackie Werstler, Natalie Iholtz, Blair Creamer.

Key Losses:

Key Newcomers: Junior: Gabi Lancaster. Sophomore: Jenna VanCuren. Freshmen: Lily Owsley, Lauren Walpole, Brooke Prater.

Coach Victoria Cornell Comments: “We have a great group of girls this year working hard academically as well as on the courts.  We have several girls who are new to tennis and are eager to learn and our veteran players are really taking them under their wings.  I couldn’t ask for a better group of young ladies to work with.  I am excited to see where our girls go this season and to watch them as we grow as a team and work toward building the program.”