Westside’s boys tennis team will officially begin their 2015 season Thursday Aug. 27 at home against Lincoln Southwest.

The team lost multiple players but gained others to fill the void. One new player is freshman Miltiadis Hatzidakis.

“[Hatzidakis] has an amazing forehand, got a really good serve, he has some areas he needs to work on but I could see him potentially being state champion if he puts in the effort and the time,” head coach Shaun McMahon said.

Hatzidakis is not the only player McMahon feels will bring a crowd. Junior Dillon Ketcham, may catch many eyes on the court.

“He has the chance to be the best high school tennis player in the state,” McMahon said. “He has been putting in a tremendous amount of effort and a tremendous amount of time improving his game and he is going to be someone to watch, because watching him is going to be pretty exciting.”

Considering all the preparation, the team will have several strengths, though challenges will still be present.

“Our biggest challenge is going to be number one doubles,” McMahon said. “There is a lot of talented number one doubles teams in the state this year and that’s a tough spot to fill, I got a couple guys I have in mind to fill that spot.”

Similar to most teams, the goal for boys tennis is to reach the state tournament – and win.

“I want to win state” McMahon said, “The guys that we have on our team, if they preform at or above their level we have a real good chance at a run for the state title.”