ESCANABA — The Gladstone boys tennis team will look to improve this season and have a big year.

“My expectations are to just keep on improving from what we have,” said coach Dan Williams. “We have solid players for singles.”

The Braves will return Alec Miron for his senior season who is Gladstone’s No. 1 singles player.

“Alec works very hard and he is always working to tweak his game,” said Williams. “He is up there with other number ones in the U.P.”

Nathan Hardwick also returns for his senior year as the Braves’ No. 2 singles players.

“Nathan is our number two at singles where he’s up from number four last year,” said Williams. “He and Alex have hit some balls together. He’s a solid player at that position.

Other singles players include juniors Danny Pederson and Sean Holm.

Gladstone’s doubles aren’t as strong but Williams expect them to improve.

“We’re very young and inexperienced in doubles,” said Williams. “I feel if they keep working they will improve further in the season.”

Seniors Dean Herioux and Austin Bergquist make up the No. 1 doubles team for the Braves and junior Cooper Koski and sophomore Ben Flaminio form the No. 2 doubles team. The No. 3 doubles team consists of junior Matt Swanson and freshman Nick LeClaire and the No. 4 team consists of junior Josh Rosa and sophomore Jim Maki.

The Braves season kicked off last week and they’ve already had two away meets at Iron Mountain and Menominee as well as a home meet against Gwinn.

As the season goes on Williams is looking forward to competing against Kingsford, Marquette, and Negaunee.

“Kingsford’s always fun to play,” said Williams. “They’re one of the stronger teams in the U.P. and same with Marquette. Negaunee’s another good team that we look forward to competing against.”

The remaining schedule:

April 27 — Kingsford

April 28 — Westwood

May 1 — at Escanaba

May 3 — Marquette

May 5 — at Kingsford

May 8 — at Ishpeming

May 9 — at Negaunee

May 11 — Menominee

May 17 — Escanaba

May 18 — Munising

May 20 — at Negaunee