“My philosophy is to coach the fundamentals and get the kids to enjoy the sport. If they have fun and come back, then it’s been a success,” Terry Wheeler, head coach, said.

In those respects last season was a success because a number of top players return.

Alexis Smith, who was the team’s second seed a year ago, returns for her sophomore season and will get first crack at replacing her brother, Ian Smith, as the team’s number one.

Matt Bixby and Kyle LaPlante, both seniors, are slated to be the No. 2 and 3 seeds entering the season and LeAnn Rees, another returner, has the inside track at the fourth seed.

Wheeler said the fifth seed as well as the top two doubles teams is an open competition among the remaining returners and a number first time members.

Juniors Brad McEachron and Phil Meyer are two newcomers who have impressed early.

“Brad is a natural athlete and Phil is a big, strong guy who can really move and cover the court,” Wheeler said.

Israel Rees is a returning member who will see time on one of the doubles teams and Madaschi Gianluca is a foreign exchange student who is out for the season. Daisy Coppins, Audrey Dennison and Sean Reardon are all juniors and have some experience.

The team has a number of promising young athletes in Seth Browe, Jacob Corlew, Tyler Waite and Andrew McEachron who will get the chance to cut their teeth on the varsity level.

“We’ve had some nice surprises,” Wheeler said of the way the kids have played in practices.

Lake George, which has several kids who play year-round, is expected to be league’s best team, but Wheeler likes what he see from his team.

“I think we should be competitive,” he said.

The team opens its season Monday at Whitehall. The match begins at 4 p.m.