Despite its lack of senior leadership, Minot High’s girls tennis team is rich in experience.

“Our leaders are only sophomores and juniors,” Minot coach Scott DeLorme said. “But they’ve played three years of varsity, so we have some experience at the top and we’re excited about that part.”

Junior Evie Reynolds and sophomores Kali Askvig and Alyssa Henson make up the top of the Majettes’ lineup.

And even though the season starts today – as the Majettes host Williston, Century and Jamestown in non-conference action, starting at 1 p.m. – DeLorme feels like his girls are already rounding into form.

“Our top girls played a lot of tennis dating back to last summer and this winter,” he said. “They came in tennis ready, which we don’t always get between different sports.”

Reynolds spearheaded Minot’s attack last season as a sophomore, and while she remains at her post at the top of the lineup, she hopes to become more of a leader.

“Last year, playing the 1 gives me a lot confidence that I can step up and be a role model for our younger players,” she said.

Said DeLorme: “Evie and Kali have taken on that leadership role the last two years. Last year they were only freshman and sophomores, but they played at the top of the lineup and the girls look up to them.”

There will be plenty of time and opportunities to lead, as nine of the Majettes’ 11 competitors are sophomores or younger.

And DeLorme expects a few of them to turn heads.

“(Freshman) Raquel Egge will surprise,” he said. “She’s one of those players that hits a whole lot of balls back and she’ll drive opponents crazy. She’s very capable of beating some better players and she won’t beat herself. (Sophomore) Gwenn Mathews played in the 10 spot for us last year in singles, and she’s a heck of an athlete and she plays aggressively.”

The Majettes finished second in the West Region last year behind Century after compiling a 5-2 region record. The Patriots, yet again, appear the favorite out west.

But after that, parity traverses the tennis landscape.

“Century is definitely the team to go for, but any team could be in the top few,” Askvig said. “It’s really fun because everybody is in the competition, and that makes it exciting and a lot to look forward to.”

Minot could draw a line in the sand today.

And they aren’t backing down.

“We’re young, but along with our youth comes experience and we are looking into competing with anyone in the WDA,” Reynolds said. “We aren’t scared of anyone out there.”

John Denega covers Minot High athletics, Minot State softball and general assignments. Follow him on Twitter @JohnDenega_MDN.