By Tom Schardin, Staff Writer

There’s no where to go but up for the Prior Lake girls tennis team.

Last fall, with no seniors on the team, the Lakers struggled to a 2-16 overall record (0-7 in the Missota Conference). Expectations are a little higher this season with a more experienced group returning, even if this group has only three seniors.

“We have a decent crop of girls back and a lot of them worked very hard over the summer on their game,” said Lakers coach Corey Soukup. “We’re going to be a stronger team this year.”

The Lakers haven’t had a winning season since 1997 when the team finished 8-5 overall and was 4-3 in the conference. But Soukup said the team’s numbers are up from last year with 51 athletes out, which should make competition within the team better and allow for a deeper junior varsity.

Also this summer, 22 members of the team participated in a tennis camp at Gustavus Adolphus College, so the commitment is there to improve.

Senior captain Amanda Bigby is the Lakers’ top player returning. She played No. 1 singles last year. Soukup said Bigby also played more competitive tennis over the summer, so he’s expecting even bigger returns from his top player.

“I think the match experience she got over the summer is going to do her a lot of good,” said Soukup. “She struggled playing No. 1 last year, but that’s a tough spot to play as a sophomore. She’s going to be better this year. I think she’ll handle the competition better.”

Junior captain Kristen Tusa will also be one to watch for the Lakers. She played No. 2 singles last year, but Soukup said she could be moved to doubles this season.

“Kristen is super consistent all the time,” said Soukup. “I believe if the team is going to have success we need to strengthen our doubles. Kristen would definitely help us there.”

Ninth-grader Caitlyn Gengler should make a bigger impact this fall, while senior Heidi Auringer, junior Leah Peterson and eighth-grader Savanna Peterson figure into the team’s top 10.

“We have a lot of spots up for grabs,” said Soukup. “We have a lot of junior varsity players from last year to pick from.”

Soukup credited junior varsity coach Laurie Friedges for helping develop the talent at the lower ranks. “She does a great job with those kids and getting them interested in tennis,” said Soukup.

The Lakers open the season on Monday, Aug. 18 when they play host to South St. Paul in a non-conference match at 3 p.m. The team will compete in the Lakeville North tournament on Wednesday, Aug. 20 starting at 9 a.m.

Prior Lake will play host to Burnsville in a non-conference match on Friday, Aug. 22 at 10 a.m.

The Lakers’ first conference match is set for Sept. 4 at home against Holy Angels at 4:15 p.m.