By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Veteran Dowagiac boys' tennis coach Curtis Partee is hoping that seven returning players can help the Chieftains improve on last year's fourth place finish in the Big 16 Conference West Division.
The Chieftains went 2-7-1 in 2004, but hopes to improve on that with a host of experience players.
Returning are seniors Adam Carlson, Adam Maxey, Sonny Swartz, Jon Woosley and Micah Null. Also back are sophomores Mike Hoff and Josue Miranda.
Maxey is a four-year starter for the Chieftains, while Carlson is returning for his third season.
Hoping to fill out the spots on the squad are newcomers Henry Krohne, Aaron Wilson, Mike DeRose, Andrew Cuthbert, Tyler Cook, Kyle Kowalski and Kevin Billingham.
Krohne and Cook are seniors, while Wilson, DeRose and Kowalski are all juniors. Cuthbert and Billingham are a sophomore and freshman respectively.
Both of Dowagiac's wins came against Eau Claire, while the Chieftains' tie came against Brandywine.
Partee will have Carlson, Maxey, Swartz and Hoff at his singles positions, while currently, Miranda, DeRose, Woosley, Wilson, Krohne, Cook, Cuthbert, Kowalski, Null and Billingham are working to fill the four doubles teams.
Dowagiac opens it season Tuesday, April 12 at Paw Paw.