The Hastings Raiders girls tennis team begins the 2026 season without two names that have been fixtures at the top of the lineup for years, but head coach Marissa Welch does not want the focus to remain on what is gone.
Instead, she sees a group ready to move forward together.
Brooklyn Keller and Reese Keller graduated after making four consecutive state doubles tournament appearances together. Brooklyn finished her varsity career with a 111-16 record, while Reese finished 103-24. Wills Nelson was the other varsity senior lost to graduation.
Replacing that level of experience and success would be difficult for any program, but Welch said the early focus of this year's team has not been on individuals trying to fill someone else's shoes.
“The girls for this season are coming in as a whole,” Welch said. “They have the entire team at the forefront of their focus and how they can best help the team.”
That approach will be important as Hastings reshapes nearly every part of the varsity lineup.
One position is already becoming clear.
Senior Emery Hedeen is expected to take over at No. 1 singles, the spot at the top of a lineup that has looked very familiar during the past several seasons.
Welch said Hedeen came into the season ready to accept the challenge.
“She is incredibly willing to push herself and fill that position,” Welch said. “She works hard, she is coachable, she tries her best. You can't ask for more than that when filling the top spot.”
Hedeen is one of three senior captains along with Sophia Johnson and Evy Hogan.
Johnson is expected to occupy one half of the Raiders' No. 1 doubles team, while Hogan gives Welch another experienced player who can be used where the lineup needs her most.
There is plenty of competition and flexibility behind them.
Maelyn Kirk, Samantha Seaman and Megan Sieben have all shown considerable improvement since last season, according to Welch. Nolee, Andee, Annie and Briella are also returning players who have demonstrated the ability to contribute in different spots throughout the lineup.
Two freshmen and a junior are also expected to be among the group competing for varsity opportunities.
Welch expects to carry approximately 12 players on varsity and another 12 on junior varsity, and she said the willingness of the entire group to contribute has stood out during the opening weeks.
“Every single girl wants to contribute,” Welch said.
That could become one of Hastings' greatest strengths.
Rather than entering the year with a lineup built around a few established stars, Welch has a group willing to move between singles and doubles based on what gives the team its best opportunity.
“Our biggest strength this season is playing as a team,” she said. “These girls are willing to play where I ask. If they prefer doubles, they let me know that, but they also let me know they are willing to play wherever they fit best.”
That attitude also gives Welch flexibility as she works through doubles combinations and determines how the varsity lineup will settle into place.
The Raiders have built their schedule around conference and section competition, giving Welch regular opportunities to evaluate what is working and where adjustments need to be made.
“We build our schedule around section and conference opponents, so every match matters,” Welch said. “We play, we learn, we adjust when needed.”
Welch enters the season after being recognized as the Section 3AAA Head Coach of the Year in 2025, but her definition of success remains broader than match records and postseason awards.
For Welch, some of the most important parts of a tennis season happen in the relationships built over weeks of practices, bus rides and matches.
“My favorite successes are the returning faces, the relationships gained, and the special experiences the season has to offer,” she said. “I wish everyone the very best and awesome experience when they spend a season at the tennis courts.”
That team-first outlook even carried into the lighter portion of the preseason questionnaire.
When asked to single out an under-the-radar player or describe the team in three words, Welch declined to separate anyone from the group.
“This season is just very exciting to see this team as a whole, and I wouldn't spend any more words on singling players out,” she said.
That may be the clearest description of the 2026 Raiders.
The program has graduated two of the most accomplished players in its recent history, the top of the lineup is being rebuilt and several returning players are stepping into unfamiliar roles.
But through the opening weeks of practice, Welch sees a team less concerned with who occupies each individual position and more focused on what each player can do for Hastings.
That willingness to work for one another may determine how quickly a new-look Raider lineup becomes its own team.