After finishing last season as co-league champions, the Bonney Lake boys tennis team is looking to defend their title in 2012, but with nearly the entire varsity squad graduating, this year’s title path could be a little rougher.

According to coach Damon DeLApp, nine members of last year’s team graduated, leaving junior Brody Fitzsimmons as the teams top returner.

Fitzsimmons played on the varsity squad during each of the past two seasons and DeLapp said he expects him to take a leadership role on this year’s squad.

In addition, DeLapp said Brian Grob has put in a lot of off-season work and  should also hep lead the young Panther squad on the court this year.

“They have put in time in the off season and I am excited to see how they do,” DeLapp said in an email.

But due to the team’s inexperience, DeLapp said there will be many moving parts this year as he seeks to put the best players into the spots that are best for them.

In addition, DeLapp said he expects Nathan Monsrud, Dominic Lieggi, Nic Ching, Austin Grazer, Mitch Allen and Ethan Nguyen to contribute to the team.

“As always, we want to compete at a high level and be at the top of the league at the end of the season,” DeLapp said.