Opponents should be on the lookout for Lincoln High School’s boys tennis team this season, as the Lions return nine of their ten starters from last year. 

Last season, the Lions earned their ninth straight playoff appearance, including their fifth straight season in D1 with a 5-10 record and a close 4-3 loss to East Greenwich in the quarterfinals. With much of that same lineup returning, the team looks to build on that success this season, and strives for greater results.

“We lost in the quarterfinals last year, but I think we can definitely make it to the finals,” said sophomore Braden Lynch. “Expectations are high.”

The Lions will only be without one player from last year’s lineup, No. 4 singles player Logan Brown. As a result, head coach Matthew Pavao has high hopes for the team.

“We have a very deep team this year,” Pavao said. “It’s a very experienced team. This is a very large senior class. We could have as many as eight seniors in the starting lineup.”

With a lineup potentially led by as many as eight seniors, leadership will be a major strength. Captain Ryan Lemery, who earned All-Division honors last season and is expected to compete for All-State this year, is joined by fellow captains Nick Ganim and Brayden Brouillard.

“Our goal is to win the state tournament, especially since most of the varsity team are seniors,” Lemery said.

Another key returner is Lynch, who earned first‑team All‑State honors at No. 1 singles last season.

With the first match of the season rapidly approaching, the Lions are looking to start off strong, blending a solid team foundation with promising players. 

“The goal is always the playoffs and then kind of see where we can go from there,” Pavao said. “I think we’re a deep enough team this year.”

Lincoln’s first match will be March 30 at North Kingstown at 4:00 p.m.