Kentwood has already dropped a giant. But a win over King Kentridge does not a season make.

The SPSL 4A boys tennis conference is typically dominated by familiar schools — Thomas Jefferson and Kentridge. The Conks bounced their nemesis on Sept. 11 with a 4-1 team win. “It hasn’t changed any of my expectations or thought process going into matches,” said Kentwood boys tennis coach Ingrid Bakke. “It lets me know that the kids are capable of playing as well as we believe we can play.”

The rematch is scheduled for Sept. 30.

“They’re awesome,” Bakke said of Kentridge. “It meant a lot to me and I hope it meant a lot to the boys that we were able to win that.”

Meanwhile, another familiar net warrior, senior Derek Welch, led Kentlake to a 2-0 start after the team notched just three wins in all of 2013. After a tough draw in districts last season, along with some early knee troubles, Welch is looking to return to the state tournament. Falcons head coach Barry Fredericks said the lefty has not been challenged his first two matches.

“We will have a better feel for where he is at after we play Curtis this Friday and Graham Kapowsin next Wednesday,” Fredericks said in an email.

Tahoma returns just one varsity player from 2013, but appears stacked for a balanced future with six seniors, two juniors, 12 sophomores and seven freshman.

“The kids are competitors and are going to battle all year, which is going to be exciting,” said Bears head coach David Reynoldson in an email.

Kentlake

2013 Record: 3-7.

Returning Varsity Players: Six.

Goal: “To improve to a .500 record,” Fredericks said.

Biggest Hurdle: “Find two players to fill out the varsity roster,” Fredericks said.

Key Contributors:

• Derek Welch (Senior) — SPSL North’s singles player of the year in 2013.

• Zak Reitze (Senior) and Nick Smith (Senior) — Make up the Falcon’s top doubles team.

Others to Watch:

• Dylan Ross

• Nathan Hanis

• Blake Hargraves

Tahoma

2013 record: 7-3.

Returning Varsity Players: One.

Goals: Reynoldson hopes to grow as a team. “We are young, with several freshmen pressing the seniors for spots on varsity,” Reynoldson said. “It’s pushing everyone to get better.”

Biggest hurdle: “With so many players with similar abilities, getting them opportunities to play at the varsity level will be tough,” Reynoldson said. “I want the younger players to get some experience so they can see where they need to be in the coming years.”

Key Contributor:

• Davis Galgano (Junior) — Top singles player. Earned all-tournament academic honors in 2013.

Others to Watch:

• Brody Magbaleta (Freshman)

• Chris Lovr (Senior) and Tyler Gage (Senior)

• Ryan Ludeman (Senior)

Kentwood

2013 Record: 8-2.

Returning Varsity Players: Seven

Goals: “Win league and work hard to meet that goal,” Bakke said.

Biggest Hurdle: “Kentridge,” Bakke said.

Key Contributors:

• Shaun Fisher(Senior) and Jacob Sherren(Senior) — No. 1 doubles team that advanced to districts in 2013.

• Isaac Hegamin (Junior) — SPSL All-division selection in 2013.

• Marc Stroud (Senior) — “Strong, emotional and steady leader for the team and in doubles,” Bakke said.

Newcomers:

• Andrew Boupharath (Freshman) — “Andrew can play singles or doubles,” Bakke said. “Very strong player who will improve as the season progresses.”