The 2009 BEA boys tennis team includes: front row, (sitting, left to right), Gary Gack, Hunter Myers; middle row, (left to right), Alex Cleppe, Hans Kittleson, Wade Wilhelmi, Aaron Wilhelmi, Riley Holmseth, Taylor Umland; Back row, (left to right); Coach Colby Swanson, Matthew Purvis, Justin Duelge, Garrett Passer, Harald Cadilek, Jun-Cheng Chang, Coach Randy Kuechenmeister. Not pictured; Colan Surratt.

Second year Buccaneer boys tennis coach Colby Swanson says the team should have a very strong season.

“We lost three good doubles players from last year’s team, but we are going to be a lot more experienced at singles this season,” Swanson says.

Leading the team will be two seniors, Matthew Purvis and Garrett Passer.

Purvis was a state tournament participant in doubles with Logan Becker last year.

Passer played both singles and doubles last season, and Swanson expects him to have a good year as a senior.

The coach points out there are quite a few returning veterans who have plenty of varsity experience.

Riley Holmseth was in the No. 2 singles position last year.

Aaron Wilhelmi was No. 3 singles last season, while his brother Wade was fourth singles.

“We will show some strength in singles,” Coach Swanson says.

Hans Kittleson is a returning strong doubles player. He was in the No. 3 doubles slot with exchange student Fredi Kneer last season.

Others who Swanson says look good and will be moving up are sophomore Colan Surratt and junior Alex Cleppe.

The team has 15 boys out for varsity and junior varsity, and Swanson says there is a chance for a couple more to join later this week.

Three of the 15 are exchange students.

Swanson says Justin Duelge could play varsity. He was the kicker for the Buc football team. The other two are Harald Cadilek and Jun-Cheng Chang, who will probably be on the junior varsity squad.

Swanson says he expects Waseca and St. Peter to be the tough competition in the conference. Both are returning good, young players.

“St. Peter will also be in our section,” Swanson says. “I expect them to be strong contenders in the section.”

Randy Kuechenmeister is again the assistant coach, same as last year, Swanson says. It is the second season for both coaches.

The team starts the season on April 4 in Owatonna where they will face Mound-Westonka and Faribault in an indoor match.