Expect seniors Peyton McCulley and Olivia Howland to secure the top doubles spot, with competition from Alaina Kinghorn and Hannah Still.

McCulley started on varsity as a sophomore. A better doubles than singles player, she says that’s because of her interplay with Howland.

“We both work off each other,” McCulley said. “She helps me calm down if I’m getting frustrated, and likewise. It’s a lot more fun out there. There’s a lot more energy than if you’re by yourself.”

“I started freshman year thinking it would be a fun sport,” said Howland, but “it was a lot more serious than I thought it would be. I’m glad I got into it.”

The duo beat dominant Mercer Island’s squad in a highlight game of last year.

They have practiced together when they got the chance over the offseason.

“She’s a good player,” Howland says of her partner. “She’s a lefty and I’m a righty, so we complement each other.”

“I talk, she listens!” jokes Still about her doubles duo system with Kinghorn. But it’s really a two-way street of communication for this duo, who have played together since freshman year.

“We have great chemistry on the court,” said Kinghorn. “It’s a lot of fun.”

With two years on varsity, Still likes tennis because it’s a lifelong sport. It’s competitive, but not too competitive.

At singles, look for Kerry Pemberton and Rachel Walker to fill the top spots.

With a lot of new players this season, McCulley likes what she sees around her.

“Everyone’s out here having fun, and we’re working hard, too,” she said. “There are a lot of girls that really like tennis and they play outside the season.”

• Mount Si girls tennis host their first home match at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, March 20, with Juanita.

Mount Si girls tennis schedule

Thursday, March 20

• Mount Si hosts Juanita, 3:45 p.m.

Monday, March 24

• Mount Si at Eastlake, 3:45 p.m.

Tuesday, March 25

• Mount Si hosts Interlake, 3:45 p.m.

Tuesday, April 1

• Mount Si hosts Sammamish, 3:45 p.m.

Thursday, April 3

• Mount Si vs. Liberty at Tibbets Park, 3:45 p.m.

Tuesday, April 15

• Mount Si at Lake Washington, 3:45 p.m.

Thursday, April 17

• Mount Si at Sammamish, 3:45 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22

• Mount Si at Bellevue, 3:45 p.m.

Tuesday, April 29

• Mount Si hosts Mercer Island, 3:45 p.m.

Tuesday, May 6

• Mount Si hosts Liberty, 3:45 p.m.