The Webster City boys tennis team is a bit of an unknown heading into the 2024 season.

Interim head coach Mark Fisher doesn’t necessarily see that as a negative. The Lynx are just going to be more of a work in progress in the days and weeks to come.

“We have a few guys at the top with some experience and a passion for the sport,” Fisher said. “There hasn’t been as much consistency with the boys program the last three or four years, so it will be interesting to see how some of these guys develop as the season goes on.”

Webster City welcomes back veteran players Hank Christenson, Rogan Nepereny and Noah Lantz. The Lynx, who won duals against South Hardin and Hampton-Dumont/CAL a year ago, saw Nepereny and Christenson in the singles lineup for all of 2023.

“Hank has been a real leader within the team the past few years,” Fisher said. “He was working hard to try to help get a permanent boys coach, and has recruited players and organized stuff. He’s very passionate about (the program).

“Rogan has shown some sneaky good skills. I’ve been impressed with how he’s picked up some subtle things we have done and the smoothness (in which) he’s done it.”

Christenson is a junior; Nepereny is a senior. Lantz is also back as a sophomore.

Junior Tyler Vaszquez, sophomore Jesse Toftee, and freshmen Zayden Card, James Elliott and Codi Gray round out the roster.

“We do have some younger freshmen out, and it will be interesting to see how they do,” Fisher said. “Guys like Zayden, James and Codi. I’m also excited to see what junior Tyler can bring to the team, even though he will miss the first part of the season.”

Fisher is showing patience early, hoping the work will pay dividends once May rolls around.

“To start with, we just want to go out and be competitive most nights,” Fisher said. “I think if things break right and players develop like they could, we have a chance to at least get a little bit of hardware when the NCC tournament rolls around in May. For right now, though, we’re just focused on improving every day and reassessing our goals week to week.”

Webster City opens its season on Tuesday at home against Clear Lake. The Lynx will host the North Central Conference meet on May 1.

2024 WEBSTER CITY BOYS TENNIS

Roster

Seniors — Rogan Nepereny.

Juniors — Hank Christenson, Tyler Vasquez.

Sophomores — Noah Lantz, Jesse Toftee.

Freshmen — Zayden Card, James Elliott, Codi Gray.

Schedule

April 2 — Clear Lake; 9 — at Iowa Falls-Alden; 11 — North Polk; 15 — South Hardin; 16 — Hampton-Dumont/CAL; 23 — at Aplington-Parkersburg; 25 — Nevada; 26 — at Clear Lake.

May 1 — North Central Conference meet in Webster City.