It’s shaping up to be an interesting year for the Becker girls tennis team, as they have a full slate of returning letter winners, but yet lost a great deal of talent to graduation from a year ago.  There is also the addition of a third class in the MSHSL tennis sanctioning, meaning there are more opportunities for teams to reach the state tournament.

As Head Coach Nate Bucher enters his 12th season as the varsity coach, the expectations are high for the Bulldogs, who a year ago lost in the Section semifinals in a close match against Brainerd.

“We have a good returning group but after losing many seniors in the previous year, we are young at the positions being played,” Bucher says.  “Our potential is very high, and we are working each day to get better!”

Chloe Spear and Ava Duncombe will serve as team captains, and they will join Gracie Conzemius, Arica Stach, Tess Brown, Faith Bass, Taylor Lisson, Sammie Leaders, Myla Priebe and Lauren Biegler as Bulldogs with varsity level experience.

“It may go without saying, but we feel that we have the abilities to compete for a section title once again, especially with the addition of the third class,” Bucher says.  “We feel that we have a competitive chance even at the state tournament level, playing schools that are more similar in our size.”

The M8 Conference title is also a possibility this year, as Bucher and his players have their sights set on this possibility.

“It has been a couple years where we had some close losses in the M8 and we again feel we have a great opportunity to bring another conference title to Becker Tennis,” Bucher says. “The team started out with an overnight trip to Park Rapids for the first day of competition and won the three matches of our day, bringing home a traveling trophy for the “South” teams represented against the “North” teams.  We are always in pursuit. Each day, with focus and intention! Lets Go Dogs!”