The Coupeville High School boys tennis team is looking to repeat as league and district champions this fall.

Five varsity lettermen return: seniors Sean Thurman, Ben Hayes, Nic Anthony and Sam Weaver; and sophomore Nathan Lamb.

Hayes will be the No. 1 singles player, and coach Ken Stange said Hayes “could do big things this year.” He added that Hayes has a good shot at winning the district title and could possibly qualify for state.

Lamb teamed with his now-graduated brother Jordan to take the 2009 district doubles title.

Stange isn’t sure of the rest of his lineup. He’ll have an intrateam tournament of those who wish to play singles to determine the No. 2 player.

Other team members include Larry Hurlburt, Brandon Kelley, Jason Knoll, Chase Bates and Ben Wehrman.

Coupeville and Friday Harbor are the only 1A schools in the district and form their own two-team league. The two squads will square-off in three league matches to determine the conference champion. The two teams will meet in a nonleague match Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 3 p.m. to open the season.

The final schedule isn’t set, but Stange said the Wolves will face South Whidbey three times and meet up with the Oak Harbor junior varsity.

Stange enjoys the matches with powerful South Whidbey. He said, “They are more than a handful and we could get beat up, but it will only make us better.”

The Coupeville team is small with several inexperienced players, but that isn’t a big problem, according to Stange: “I like teaching them a lifetime sport.”