When Juanita High School boys tennis coach Justin Ochsner started six years ago the team had just nine players turnout. This year he has 40 boys.

“Once these boys start playing they don’t want to stop,” said Ochsner. “Our bottom 10 guys are just as intense as the top 10.”

They will need that intensity this season when they take on the likes of Mercer Island. The Rebels lost James Russell, who placed fifth at state last year.

“Last year we had a couple of guys that were really good,” said Ochsner. “This year we don’t have a lot of No. 1 guys but we have more experience and depth.”

Two of those players are seniors Danny Zens and Jonathan Armour. Armour has been a varsity player for three seasons while Zens will help lead the squad. The pair will compete for the No. 1 singles position this year.

Another player that could make a big impact for the Rebels is junior True Vue.

“A lot of the players are getting better cause they are willing to practice (out of season),” said Vue. “During the summer they are out on the courts all the time. We will be a little down this year without James but we still have high hopes.”

One of the biggest changes this year will be the fact that teams will have to designate where a player will play, singles or doubles, instead of letting players play both during a single meet. In the past, players could play multiple matches in a single meet.

“We will have to choose,” said Ochsner. “It should allow us to get a match in within a couple of hours instead of five or six.”

The team will play its first match against Liberty on Sept. 8.