KINGSFORD — The Kingsford Flivvers and new coach John VanDusen will start the boys tennis season Friday in Marinette.

West Iron County also plays in the Yooper Classic hosted by Menominee and played indoors.

“We have a few players who will be knocking the rust loose from great (Great Northern Conference) and UP runs last year and a few players who will be playing their first match of varsity tennis,” VanDusen said.

The Flivvers return All-UP first-team singles Brett Hicks and honorable mention Nick McCole along with all-state doubles Daunte Fortner and Tyler Beauchamp.

Ten players are back from last season including seniors Preston Strong, Bruce Bilgreen and McCole; juniors Matt Moreau, Hicks, Beauchamp and Fortner; and sophomores Ethan Fox, Ren Thorn and Reece Fortner. Senior Travis Taft played as a freshman and sophomore.

“There has been some strong leadership at practice by Brett, Nick, Travis and Tyler,” said VanDusen, who replaced longtime coach Mark Shanks who retired after last season. “They have been a lot of help in getting our younger players as ready as we can be while in the gym.”

The Flivvers graduated All-UP singles Alek Shanks.

“We have been making the best out of practicing in the gym, but everyone is excited to get on the courts,” said VanDusen, helped out by volunteer assistant coaches and former West Iron County standouts Matt and Mike Baumgartner.

This year’s roster (* denotes returning players):

SENIORS — Nick McCole*, Preston Strong*, Travis Taft*, Bruce Bilgreen*

JUNIORS — Brett Hicks*, Tyler Beauchamp*, Daunte Fortner*, Matt Moreau*, Eli Langston, Tyler Kopp

SOPHOMORES — Ethan Fox*, Ren Thorn*, Reece Fortner*, Lanceng Waise

FRESHMEN — Nathan Arndt, Logan Smith, Jack Perpich, Caleb Boone