There is one major difference between this year's fall tennis schedule and last year's.

While Lampasas' final date of interest in 2008 was the road match against Lake Travis in mid- October, this year there are additional days worth circling on the calendar: Oct. 29-30, a.k.a. regionals.

That's because Lampasas reached the postseason in team tennis for the first time in school history last season.

This year, the Badgers and Lady Badgers want to repeat the feat.

"We want another trip to San Antonio," head coach Kenneth Peiser said in reference to the annual fall regional destination. "They want one, so we're going to see what they've got. I hope they can get that far."

Preparation for the two-hour trek south began several weeks ago as players returned from their summer vacations to begin practicing in the sweltering heat. Unfortunately, several key components from last season's squad were not on hand.

Senior Abby Peterson, Lampasas' sole regional qualifier during the spring singles season, graduated, as did fellow Lady Badgers Meredith Lane, Kristine Smith, Alex Smith and Amy Johnson. Notable losses on the boys' side included graduating seniors Zach McKenzie and Caleb Wales.

Peiser also lost up-and-comer Nick Baker, a sophomore last year, as he moved out of the district after forming a formidable doubles duo with McKenzie.

The numerous subtractions leave Lampasas with a relatively young squad trying to fill the large sneakers handed down from the 2008 squad.

"We've got five seniors — one boy and four girls — four freshmen trying out again and a bunch of sophomores coming back from last year," Peiser said. "We've got a lot of competition going on, and that's the thing I like."

Currently, seniors Mason Thornton and Lillie Davis sit atop the team's ranking ladder for the boys and girls, respectively, while other players including sophomores Katie Shaw and Zack Holcomb fight to move up in hopes of claiming the second slots.

Offseason preparation could be the deciding factor.

Approximately 10 kids improved their game during the summer months by competing on their own in various leagues and tournaments.

The self-motivation thrilled Peiser.

"It's the most kids I've had play in the summer yet," the 10-year LHS tennis coach said. "They got a lot more experience playing and got used to the pressure of match play, so that's going to help out early on."

While the offseason work helps tremendously, it does not eliminate all of the coach's worries about the overall inexperience of his team.

"They can hit balls out here during drills, and it's not a problem, but when we get in tight situations the younger players are on the bottom of the ladder, and the bottom of the ladder plays last in our team matches," Peiser said. "The last matches are the ones that come down to if you win it, we win, and if you lose it, we lose."