The nucleus of Nevada Union's varsity girls' tennis team should be a strong one for the next couple years, thanks largely to the team being dominated by underclassmen.

Ten juniors take to the courts this year and coach Nick Bodley expects the team to continue to post strong results in what he expects to once again be a difficult Sierra Foothill League schedule.

“They're looking good this upcoming season,” Bodley said of his Miners.

The team's top player for the third year in a row, Jaimie Miller, returns for her senior campaign. She's followed by juniors Erika Kidera and Logan Kidney.

Freshman Katie King has worked her way into the fourth spot of the varsity ladder that has 16 players vying for varsity action.

Standouts Maddie Messer and Hayley Zucca graduated from last year's team.

When SFL play begins later this month, Bodley said he expects some tough matchups with Granite Bay and Del Oro. Those teams are typically the best in the conference and the top two in the section, he said.

“We're usually strong against Roseville and Woodcreek,” Bodley said.

The Miners closest league rival, in terms of competition level, is Rocklin, Bodley said. He said he anticipates battling for third place with the Thunder.

NU tennis will open serve on the 2010 season Friday at the Fresno Tournament, after finishing nearly a month of training, tryouts and challenges for spots in the varsity lineup.

The Miners' first home match, against Granite Bay on Sept. 21, will also serve as the SFL opener.

Contact Sports Writer Greg Moberly via e-mail at gmoberly@theunion.com or by phone at 477-4234.