Hollis Brookline's Arjun Inakollu helped lead the Cavs to the Division II finals last year and is back to try to do the same this spring. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

The Hollis Brookline High School boys tennis team got a taste of what the big staage was like last spring in the Division II finals.

Now the Cavaliers, after finishing as the runnerup to Goffstown, want to be able to take a bow at an encore.

“We enter the spring with a veteran group that is hungry for another opportunity to compete for a state championship,” Cavs coach Celestino Eddie Sepulveda III.

The march for that begins today for some teams, mainly in Division II, while Division I teams start Wednesday.

Souhegan made it to the semis last year and is looking for a strong season, while Milford is now making strides after resurrecting the program two years ago. And remember, Merrimack and Alvirne are both in Division II in tennis and are looking to make strides, the ‘Hawks with 10 back from last spring’s playoff team.

Meanwhile, keep an eye in Division I on Nashua South. Tennis has never been more popular with the Panthes, as 40 prospective players came out this spring.

Nashua North has a new coach in Dave Hall while Bishop Guertin will look to build on what was a strong 2025.

There is one big change this year across the board. The NHIAA, according to coaches, has switched (like a Federation change) to “No Ad” scoring. That means no longer having to win a game by two-points. There will be no prolonged games at deuce – at 40-40, next point wins.

Here’s the team rundown:

DIVISION I

Keep an eye on the Panthers, with most of the ladder back, led by sophomore Yuvan Balagurumoorthy, and seniors Shrey Shah, Nikhil Shokeen and Jerry Primo. Watch out for freshman Ayaan Chalishazar.

“With most of our ladder returning from last year, we’re optimiistic we can use that experience to our advantage and not only return to the playoffs, but host a first round match,” Panthers coach Brice Miller said.

Seniors Connor McInerney, Micah Chinni, Christian Houle and Benjamin Husson will pace Nashua North. Juniors Brady O’Connor, Connor Ducey, Brandon Lopez, Rishabh Prashant Murphy and Aadhavan Veerendra will help as will sophomore Graham Gordon.

“We’re looking to competing for a playof f slot this year,” Hall said.

As we said, BG hopes to build off last year and with five of its top six on the ladder back, that seems doable.

“I feel good about this year’s team,” Cards coach Tom Lizotte said. “Having the returning players is a positive and we also have some new freshmen who will add some real depth to the team.”

Junior Jack Kostansek is back, as he was last year’s No. 1, and No. 2 Evan Deyak, also a junior, is back. Max Moynihan, a senior, has improved his strength at No. 3 and Jonny Perrott, a potential No. 4, had a good off-season. Most of BG’s top four played in the summer, etc.

DIVISION II

Hollis Brookline has eight players back, including seven seniors, and three newbies. Leading the way is last year’s Telegraph Player of the Year senior Arjun Inakollu who brings in his coach’s words “experience, consistency and a competitive edge that sets the tone for the entire group.”

Other keys on the ladder are senior Samuel Anthony (who with Inakollu form a top doubles pair), senior captain John Torpey, and sophomore Sam Pistor.

“With a senior heavy roster and clear motivation after last year’s finish, Hollis Brookline enters the season united around one shared mindset and team goal,” Sepulveda said. “Earned. Not Given.”

Souhegan will be strong again, despite losing one potential returnee to a knee injury and another to lacrosse. Back are last year’s top three – No. 1 junior Brian Goddard, No. 2 Parker Shade (senior) and No. 3 Patrick Bryson.

“Our returning players are ready now and can play with anyone in the league,” Sabers coach John Kilgore said. “We look forward to developing the new players.”

The Milford Spartans will have athletes out, including familiar basketball names Will (junior) and Ben (freshman) Emerson. Junior Marcus Kern, senior Huseyin Alperen and junior James Crawford will also be keys.

“The Emerson boys will e an exciting pair to watch in doubles as they take their basketball athleticism to the tennis court,” Milford coach Kate Emerson said.

The Tomahawks, with their experience, will look to Mikhail “Misha” Agapov, Leon Rossman, Jeremy Nigen, Nithin Sathappan, Drew Bergan and Connor Miner to be the mainstays.

“We’re looking to improve upon making the playoffs from last year,” Merrimack coach Ryan Farnsworth said. “With having 10 returners and three new players, we’re looking to continually make progress toward this goal.”

Alvirne was 6-8 last year but returns three-year No. 1 in senior Sam Hergenhahn. Other keys are junior Samanyu Kudikala, junior Samik Dhakal, seniors Owen Nagle and Ryan Dussault, plus freshmen Ben Caprio and Aidan Emery.

“The team’s excited and putting in the work before the matches start,” Broncos third-year coach Colin Stone said.