RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - After a down year fall, Cordova Lady Lancers varsity tennis coach Jeff Pieczynski is optimistic that this season will go a long way in building the foundation of his program.

With nine returning players and the team currently holding tryouts, Pieczynski feels that the mix of experience and fresh faces will bode well long term. Among the returnees is senior Maria Orlovscia, who the coach says will be a big piece of the puzzle for the team this season going into her fourth year on the team.

"She's a four-year player and I'm excited that she's jazzed up about playing," he said. "She's really been working hard and trying to improve."

Eight other returning players have Piezynski encouraged if for no other reason than being able to see his players remain dedicated to the sport, and be willing to continue to improve as the program continues to build.

"We've kind of caught that spark with them to where they want to continue to improve and strive to get better and better," he said.

Additionally, senior returnee Kylie Frost has been a big help in bringing some of the tryout players and new players up to speed, according to Pieczynski. Her eagerness to help her teammates and passion for the game has been contagious according to the Lady Lancers' coach.

One newcomer to the program has already caught the attention of Pieczynski in junior foreign exchange student Caroline Brandt. Brandt, a former soccer player, has impressed the coach early on. "In what I've seen so far, she's going to be a quick learner."

As for team goals this year, Pieczynski is hoping to bring a competitive team to the court each and every match, and will look to continue building experience with his young players.

The Lady Lancers will begin their season on August 29 when they travel to Rio Linda High School in a preseason matchup scheduled for 3:30 p.m.