The goal for the Mustang boys' tennis coach Angie Shepard is simple: Continue building the program.

Shepard, in her second year as coach of the boys' team, returns four players from last year's six-member team, and adds three newcomers to a program that didn't have enough players to field a team in 2007.

"We are definitely younger than last year's," Shepard said.

"But we are looking forward to a good year."

The Mustangs opened their season at home Wednesday with a win over South Davidson.

Their next match will be Monday when they host Chatham Central.

Shepard's top two returnees are senior Dylan Collare and sophomore Noe Ramirez.

Shepard called both "consistent players with very good speed," and called Ramirez, "a very tough player." Ramirez played No. 1 singles against South Davidson with Collare at No. 2.

Playing No. 3 and No. 4 singles will be returnees Jeremiah Wofford and Jonathan Gomez, both sophomores.

According to Shepard, Wofford is a patient player with a good serve and Gomez has shown good improvement in only his second year of playing high school tennis.

Newcomers Luis Peralta, a junior, and Oscar Ramirez and Juan Garcia -- both sophomores -- round out the squad.

"Our newcomers are inexperienced, but we are happy to have them. They are working hard, learning the game and improving every day," Shepard said.

Inclement weather has limited practice time and forced some early season schedule adjustments.

That combined with the youth on the team, means Shepard has yet to settle on a set rotation for matches.

Wofford played No. 3 singles and Gomez played No. 4 in Wednesday's opening match.

"I am hoping that within a couple of matches we will settle in, and things with roll along from there," she said.

Schedule: March 4- South Davidson; 9-Chatham Central; 10-Jordan Matthews; 11-at East Montgomery; 16-West Montgomery; 18-at Jordan Matthews; 23-Thomasville; 30-at South Davidson; April 1-at Chatham Central; April 6-East Montgomery; 8-at West Montgomery; 20-at Thomasville.

Contact Tom Embrey at 693-2477 or by e-mail at tembrey@thepilot.com.