While Hillsboro tennis lost its opportunity to return all four starters this year, coach Bob Woelk remains hopeful for 2021.

“The good news is all my players are underclassmen, and tennis is a sport where they can go out and play any time on their own,” he said. “I hope they do.”

If all players return next year then 2019 senior Josiah Jost will be the only player lost to graduation over the last few years.

Juniors Noah Bartel and Aidan Unruh were among those primed to lead the Trojans. The duo placed sixth in No. 1 doubles during Central Kansas League’s championship, and Hillsboro placed seventh as a team.

Other returning juniors were to include: Ethan Plenert, Henry Hein, and Bryce Rader.

New additions for preseason practices included sophomores Brody Rader and Tristan Rathbone, as well as freshmen Tyson Plenert, Sawyer Hall, and Lane Rogers.

The Trojans started practices in early March, but judging how the season might have gone was difficult since there was no way to know competition levels at other schools, Woelk said.

“I don’t know how to judge what might have been for us,” he said. “It’s certainly disappointing. But every school is in the same situation.”