It isn't often that an entire high school team returns from one year to the next. That's almost the case for girls' tennis at Hillsboro High this fall.

Coach Lynn Wiebe, in her sixth year, lost only one player-a graduating senior-from a year ago.

"Having all returning players from last year has allowed us to start out from where we left off last year in terms of knowing what's expected at practice, and what our goals for this year are," Wiebe said.

It's not hard to guess what the goal is for senior Lora Andrews and junior Amanda Faber, who are two-time state qualifiers in doubles. The pair finished fourth in Class 3-2-1A a year ago.

"I look for Lora and Amanda to do quite well this season," Wiebe said. "They have both acquired a lot of experience over the past couple of years, both having been to state now for two years in a row.

"Whether they will be together as a doubles team at the end of the season is yet to be determined," she added. "I would like to see what they can do in singles, as well as using their experiences and leadership to blend them together with other teammates for doubles combinations as well."

Wiebe welcomes four other letter-winners to the 2006 squad: senior Chelsey Harmon and juniors Audrey Weinbrenner, Lauren Just and Greta Wiebe.

Weinbrenner and Greta Wiebe won their opening doubles match in regionals last year while Just played singles.

Filling out a large junior class are Amber Loewen, Julia Loewen, Maria Loewen, Tessa Simpson and Anna Woelk.

"We have a great group of upperclassmen," Coach Wiebe said. "There is a lot of leadership this year, plus a lot of intrasquad competition for positions. The girls are pushing each other to become better because they all want the opportunity to play."

Sophomores Kelsey Bartel and Clare Enns round out a roster that includes no freshmen.

Even with an experienced team, Wiebe declined to speculate how her Trojans might do at the Mid Central Activities Association tournament in early October.

The Trojans finished fifth a year ago behind perennially strong Wichita Collegiate, Hoisington, Smoky Valley and Hesston.

"Our league continues to be one of the toughest in 3A and 4A girls' tennis," she said.

Of course, Andrews, Faber & Co. will have to make it through regionals to move on to state competition. But this year's there's additional incentive to make it through.

"It will be a privilege this year for us to host the Girls' Class 3-2-1A tournament on Oct. 13 and 14," she said. "However, our regional assignment will be critical in terms of our success in making it to state."

Regional assignments aren't made until well into the season.

Besides hoping to end their season at the Sports Complex courts, the Trojans were scheduled to open the season there, too. The Hillsboro Invitational was scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 29.

They'll turn around and play a second tournament only two days later, Thursday, at Sterling with matches beginning at 9 a.m.

The Trojans then will be idle until the following Thursday, Sept. 7, when they compete at Lindsborg.