“I believe that this is going to be a great year,” first-year coach Jeff Hinkle said of his White River boys tennis team. “We have a lot of returners and they have shown an increase in their ability.”

Top among those returning are Sam Bruckbauer and Tommy McCarragher, who were a formidable doubles team.

Hinkle, who served as the Hornets’ assistant coach, said there are a number of players up from JV and C-team who are vying for those coveted varsity roles.

The Hornets started the season Tuesday in a nonleague match with Enumclaw. They jump into SPSL 2A play Thursday at Clover Park.