With all but three returning players, Upper Perkiomen's girls tennis team looks to take another step forward. According to head coach Shane Thrush, the priority is to continue building a competitive culture.

Kylie Graves prepares to return a shot in practice.  The sen- ior is working to retain her No. 1 singles spot for Upper Perk- iomen's tennis team.

            "I view it as a marathon," said Thrush, in his second season leading the program.

            The Indians, who won two matches last year, return their top two singles players. A doubles player from last season is expected to slide into the No. 3 singles spot, according to the coach. He said six of the eight doubles spots are up for grabs.

            "No one's position is solidified," Thrush said Monday afternoon.

            The program hopes to utilize that culture to become competitive in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. He hopes to improve his players' stamina to survive three-set matches. According to Thrush, multiple off-season clinics have helped build interest in the sport among area youth.

            "We want to finish in the middle of the conference standings and go from there," he said. "I would like to improve on our record from last season."

            Kylie Graves is looking to secure her spot as the Tribe's No. 1 singles player. The senior won a match at the Pioneer Athletic Conference Championship last season, defeating Pottsgrove's top player, Jacqueline McPhilliney, 10-2.

            Graves welcomes the opportunity to face the conference's top players, according to Thrush. He said she has added more shots to her repertoire.

            "Hopefully, that variety will help her," he said of Graves, who is looking to continue the sport in college.

            Jocelyn Sledgen is eyeing a return to the No. 2 singles spot. According to the coach, the experience the junior gained last season should help her moving forward.

Samantha Godshall is on track to earn the No. 3 singles spot, Thrush said. The junior played at No. 4 doubles last season as a newcomer to the sport.

            The coach described Godshall as a natural athlete whose athleticism and determination took over. According to Thrush, her best quality is the ability to not take herself too seriously.

            "Sam does not mind taking risks," he said.

            Upper Perkiomen's top doubles team is returning. Leah Hunsinger and Michele Chan, a pair of seniors, are expected to regain their sports, according to the coach.

            "I think with more confidence and experience they should be in a better place," said Thrush, a transition coordinator and work program teacher at the high school.

            However, the team's other three doubles teams must be claimed before it opens its schedule at home against Daniel Boone on Monday.

            Andrea Schmitt, a returning senior who played doubles last year, could be teamed with classmate Rachael Zaw, according to the coach. He identified the other doubles candidates as seniors Caroline Yaroshak and Patricia Sirak, junior Sarah Hitchkock as well as half dozen ninth graders and a sophomore.

            "It will definitely be a battle," said Thrush, whose team will open its conference schedule on the road against Norristown on Sept. 25. "Competition for the third and fourth teams could be a weekly thing because all the players are so close."