As Powell High School tennis turns the page to 2021, the Panthers bring back several veteran players to the varsity squad. 

The PHS tennis teams started practice on Monday, less than two weeks before the Panthers’ season-opening matches in Gillette. Both the girls’ and boys’ teams return a handful of key contributors from last year’s teams, which finished eighth and 11th at state, respectively.

Having such a veteran core excites head coach Joe Asay ahead of the first matches.

“It gives each of those kids an opportunity to say, ‘I’ve been here before,’” he said. “When it becomes familiar to them, they just perform better. The unknown is now not a factor.”

Though the PHS tennis team lost five girls to graduation in the spring, the Panthers bring back a group of strong performers, including Chase Anderson. Anderson played No. 2 doubles a year ago, finishing the year 8-6 with partner Whitney Hull. That duo placed fourth in No. 2 doubles at the state tournament.

“She [Anderson] came through last season anticipating to be the No. 1 girl, and that’s where she’ll probably land this year,” coach Asay said. “She certainly has worked hard.”

Three other varsity players from 2020 — Hull, Lila Asay and Kaili Wisniewski — will also be back on the roster this year, along with a handful of newcomers. 

On the boys’ side, every player from last year’s varsity squad returns. 

Junior Ethan Bartholomew played the No. 1 singles spot a year ago and will likely be there again in 2021. Bartholomew, who won a match at last year’s state tournament, “practiced whenever he could” during the offseason and came back in great tennis shape, per coach Asay.

The other spots won’t be filled until the team’s intersquad matches, but the coach thinks Aiden Chandler could be a good fit for No. 2 singles. In that spot a year ago, Chandler won four matches and developed consistently, according to his coach.

Logan Brown and Kolt Flores teamed up in No. 1 doubles last year and may be there again in 2021. Asay called them “really athletic kids” who have years of experience under their belts.

Powell’s other returners who saw varsity action last year are Ryan Cordes, CJ Barrus, Wesley Preator and Kalin Hicswa.

As the 2021 teams have significant experience, Asay knows his squads are capable of winning seasons. But that’s not the only thing he’s focused on. More than anything, the coach hopes his athletes develop steadily over the course of the short season.

“By the time we’re done, I just hope my kids have improved — that when they walk off the court, their attitudes are right and they’ve tried their hardest,” Asay said. “If that results in wins, that’s great, and if not, hopefully they’ve learned from it.”