Souhegan's Callie Perrin won 20 matches during the season combined in singles and doubles to lead the Sabers to the Division II finals, and will be back to try to do it all over again. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

They got a taste of what it’s like last May.

Now the Souhegan High School girls tennis team wants the full meal.

Yes, the Sabers finally reached the Division II finals last spring after coming close the previous two seasons. They still fell to Oyster River, but with a lot of their nucleus returning, they are shooting to get right back there again.

“We anticipate strong competition from H/B (Hollis Brookline), Portsmouth and Oyster River, so we need to be ready,” Sabers coach Bo Dean said.

Bishop Guertin got to the quarterfinals last year, while Nashua North and South will look to improve. Meanwhile, the last time Alvirne was in Division II, it won a championship. Well, the Broncos, after returning to Division I for two seasons, are back. Merrimack also dropped down, so the two are joining HB, Souhegan, and Milford.

Here’s a look, although it’s sketchy with some teams as coaches have been slow to make info available:

DIVISION I

Bishop Guertin won a playoff round last year, and they’re poised to try to take the next step led by senior Sofia Zielinski, juniors Lydia Miller and Jackie Krisciunas, who have “invaluable” leadership and experience according to coach Marcel Gamache. Add two promising freshmen, Georgianna Howell and Dayana Dolloff Cotito, and there’s a lot of optimism.

“The team is looking forward to building on past successes and fostering a supportive environment for all the players,” Gamache said. “With a strong mix of returning talent and fresh faces, the team is poised for a competitive year.”

Nashua South has some players returning from its ladder and even moving up a rung or two. Four sophomores are strong, Saanvi Praturu, Piya Chokshi, Gowri Akineni and Riya Schroff, plus juniors Hannah Jacob and Krini Dani.

Meanwhile, up the highway at Nashua North, new coach Andy Dutton has senior mainstay Mary Pappas back, along with fellow senior Brielle Baxter. Rising juniors Mariana Cajigas and Yelin Kim, plus sophomores Leena Srinivas and Aleena Reth should make for a team that will improve as the season goes along to match last year’s feat of making the tourney. “The team will work to have a great season,” Dutton said.

DIVISION II

The Sabers will return two-time Telegraph Player of the Year Callie Perrin, now a junior, and she’ll be joined by sophomore Ori Dart and senior Tess Jancar as the team’s nucleus. They lost only one starter on the ladder so be prepared for a strong run.

“Consistent serving, reducing unforced errors and strong net play are critical for us to be successful,” Dean said. “We look forward to a good season.”

The Cavs, meanwhile, only lost a couple of seniors and last year’s No. 1, Anuhya Chilakapati (now a senior) was eligible to return, as were players like Sapph Sidhu and Kate Berrigan. Berrigan, a first year player a year go, won their only singles match in the post season in their first round loss to Portsmouth. They should go further this year.

Milford also should also be much improved, as Willa Audley and Ellie Nassy lead off their ladder with six more players who have greatly improved.

“We will be stronger this year,” Spartans coach Nancy McManus said, “with a deeper team, and we’re excited.”

The Broncos have a new coach in Shannon McCarthy, while Don Chisholm is back coaching the Tomahawk girls for a second straight year after moving over from the boys.

Alvirne seniors Zailyn O’Leary and Emma Coppi who were one-two on the ladder a year ago were eligible to return after the team had growing pains a year ago. As for Merrimack, No.1 Kate Costa, was eligible to come back as a senior as were other seniors Lina Eldieb and Maya Scott