Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge girls tennis returning letterwinners are, front row (left to right): Trusha Bhatt and Hailey Folsom. Back: Meadow Balkenende, Tabitha Teske, Ellie White and Sydney Gebers.

Martha Mericle is anxious to get the spring tennis season going.

Mericle, a former Fort Dodge tennis standout herself, will lead an experienced group of Dodgers to the courts this year.

Seniors Ellie White, Tabitha Teske and Meadow Balkenende return, along with a newcomer to the squad but a veteran player in Manson Northwest Webster’s Emily Goodner.

“I’m excited,” Mericle said. “There are some great seniors returning who are key players in our Top-6. I’m excited for Ellie’s final season as a Dodger. She’s played a lot and has improved her strokes, technique and overall game. She’s ready for a strong season.

“Tabitha and Meadow are both returning to the Top-6 and they’ve put in a lot of work to their game during the offseason.”

Goodner, a junior, is joined by fellow MNW sophomore Jordan Kenyon. Senior Lilly Kolacia, juniors Trusha Bhatt, Olivia Hamlow, Ashlyn Headlee and Hailey Folsom, sophomores Rosio Cruz Perez and Sydney Gebers, and freshmen Grace Behrens and Kaitlyn Folsom round out the roster.

“Emily has been playing tennis for over six years and is going to bring a lot of skill and talent to our lineup,” Mericle said. “We want to improve on last season. We lost a lot of close matches, so the girls are ready for the challenge to finish those matches with wins.

“They all want to work hard and improve as individual players. I want them all to feel confident in themselves and their teammates as we go into each match. It’s going to be a great season with a great group of girls.”

Fort Dodge opens the year on Thursday at Ankeny. The Dodgers host Spencer April 4 with regionals beginning in May.

2022 FORT DODGE GIRLS TENNIS

Roster

Seniors — Meadow Balkenende, Lilly Kolacia, Tabitha Teske, Ellie White.

Juniors — Trisha Bhatt, Emily Goodner, Olivia Hamlow, Ashlyn Headlee, Hailey Folsom.

Sophomores — Rosio Cruz Perez, Sydney Gebers, Jordan Kenyon.

Freshmen — Grace Behrens, Kaitlyn Folsom.

Schedule

March 31 — at Ankeny.

April 4 — Spencer; 7 — at Ankeny Centennial; 12 — at Urbandale; 19 — at Waukee Northwest; 21 — Ames; 25 — Boone; 26 — at Des Moines Lincoln; 28 — at Mason City.

May 3 — Marshalltown; 5 — Des Moines East.