Garrick Hodge/MDN Pictured is Minot High's Connor Templeton, who is expected to be near the top of the lineup for the MHS tennis team this season.

There’s no shortage of optimism surrounding the Minot High boys tennis team a little more than a week before its season opener.

“We feel good,” Magi coach Scott DeLorme said. “We’re bringing back six of our top eight guys this year. They all have been playing a lot since the end of last season, so we hopefully should come into the year in midseason form. I can’t wait to get started.”

The Magi hope to be near the top of the Western Dakota Association standings at the end of the year, but they likely won’t be the region favorites. At least, not at the beginning of the season.

“I think we should be near (the top), but Bismarck Legacy will be the favorite coming in,” DeLorme said.

They’ve been the two-year champs and they’re bringing back two of their three top guys. But I think our depth will give us a huge advantage.”

In the beginning of the season, a lot of 3-2 matches – meaning three singles and two doubles matches – are played, leading DeLorme to think everyone will be chasing Legacy early.

MHS hasn’t decided on an official starting lineup yet, as the Magi will begin intrasquad challenges matches today. But that didn’t stop DeLorme from giving an estimated lineup.

Seniors Connor Templeton and Charlie Wentz will compete for the No. 1 and No. 2 singles spots, respectively, while junior Mason Diehl appears entrenched at the No. 3 position.

“All three of those guys have been around for a lot of varsity years,” DeLorme said. “That experience alone and the fact that those guys that have played against the top competition in the region is a big advantage. Those guys want to beat Legacy somewhere along the way and compete for a region title.”

DeLorme said four or five other players could be in the mix for the four through six varsity spots.

“Peyton Huss just started playing last year and both he and Gage Jaeger have put a ton of time in going back to last season,” DeLorme said. “They’re our most improved players and are starting to understand the game better. Rory Taney played at bottom of the varsity lineup last year, he’s come a long way since and it would really help fill out our varsity top six if those three can have good years for us.”

Templeton and Wentz will likely play together in doubles play, while the rest of the doubles lineup may be moved around the first few matches to see what combinations benefit the Magi.

MHS opens the season with three matches on Aug. 25th against Bismarck Century, Mandan and Legacy at Hammond Park.

Garrick Hodge covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @Garrick_Hodge.