Tennis is back in action at Powell High School, with the Panthers returning talent for both the boys and girls, but needing to replace top players throughout their lineups.

Last year the Panther boys claimed a conference championship before finishing seventh at the state tournament, and will need to replace the top singles spot along with one spot in each of the three doubles’ teams.

Expected to step into that top singles spot is junior Nathan Preator, who was No. 2 singles for the Panthers last year. He advanced all the way to the semifinals at that level before losing two straight and falling just short of a top four finish.

Behind Preator the Panthers have three returning players with significant varsity experience: junior Taeson Schultz at No. 1 doubles, junior Ryan Barrus at No. 2 doubles and senior Isaac Stensing at No. 3 doubles.

“We had seniors scattered from the top all the way down to the bottom with the exception of that No. 2 singles spot,” coach Joe Asay said. “Nathan appears to be the favorite to move into Cade (Queen’s) position at the No. 1 singles.”

Asay is hopeful some returning players who played as alternates last year will help fill in some of the gaps for the Panthers throughout the lineup, with early match experience being crucial this year.

“That’s going to be fun to see how those guys fill those doubles positions,” Asay said.

On the girls’ side, the Panthers return several players from last year’s team who placed 12th at state, but will need to replace players throughout the lineup much like the boys.

Both of the singles spots from last year’s team have graduated for the girls, along with two spots on doubles teams.

The returners for the girls’ state team includes sophomore Naomi Whipple from No. 1 doubles, senior Sophie Czirr from No. 2 doubles and senior Annaliese Peterson and junior Kyra Morrow from No. 3 doubles.

“You always hope that when those ladies have the opportunity to step into those varsity positions, that they have had some of that match experience,” Asay said. “Aside from prior match experience, at this age [there’s] the opportunity to mature, the opportunity to put more time into the game through tournaments in the summer, through camps and clinics. I hope they’re ready to step into those roles.”

In addition to those state returners, junior Bailee Allred has the opportunity to return for the Panthers after she competed for much of the season at No. 3 doubles last year.

“They’ve all had some varsity experience. With those girls they’ll be able to move into those spots,” Asay said. “Some of those will be a big move, potentially from an alternate or No. 3 doubles all the way to No. 1 doubles. Those will be some challenges for those girls.”

Throughout the first week of practice the Panthers will not be playing any opposition, but instead against each other through a tournament setting to determine a ranking of players to see where they will play this fall.

“We’re basically getting them to make that decision for us,” Asay said. “Then once the No. 1 and 2 are figured out initially, then (we get to figure out) where we can get the best matchups in the doubles positions.”

The Panthers will kick off match action next week, heading on a long road trip Tuesday to take on a pair of Sweetwater County opponents.

The first matchup will be against Rock Springs at 8 a.m. followed by a matchup in Green River at noon.

“We typically are able to start with those non-conference matchups, you never want to say they don’t count, but it gives us the opportunity to get up and play some matches against opponents,” Asay said. “Depending on how things settle when we close out the season it’s very likely they will have played those kids from the south so it’s good to get those matches in.”

The tennis season will fly by, with the state tournament capping off the campaign in Gillette the final weekend of September.