South KoreaSeoul American Falcons, Yongsan GarrisonCoach — Robert Victoria, second season (assistant previous two years).Key performers — Boys: Russell Midomaru, Jr. (third in Far East singles last two years) and Ronald Midomaru, Fr. (transfers from Daegu American); Jae Han, Jr.; Chong Lee, Jr. (fourth in Far East singles last year); Matt Bruhnke, Sr. Girls: Carson Allen, So.; Jacquelyn Nguyen, Sr. (second in Far East doubles last season).Overview — Boys contending, girls rebuilding. Adding the Midomarus a huge plus and makes an already strong boys team stronger. Girls must replace departed 2007 Far East singles champion Kennedy Allen and two other veterans.

Daegu American Warriors, Camp GeorgeCoach — Ed Thompson, seventh season.Key performers — Boys: Matthew Hwang, Fr. (sixth in Far East singles last year); Andrew Georges, So. Girls: Christina Thompson, So.; Isabelle Georges, Sr.Overview — Rebuilding, especially boys. Ranks thinned with the decision to bar eighth- graders from regular-season play; losing Russell and Ronald Midomaru to Seoul American didn’t help.

Osan American Cougars, Osan Air BaseCoach — Bruce Barker, 16th season.Key performers — Boys: John Bradley, Sr.; Alex Custer, Sr.; Kee Park, Sr. Girls: Alice Kim, Sr.; Erica Shin, Sr.Overview — Rebuilding. Typhoon Kompasu served to delay this team’s preparation; before Wednesday’s season opener, Cougars had just three practices. Good core of experience surrounded by youthful players.

OkinawaKadena Panthers, Kadena Air BaseCoach — Robert Bliss, fourth season.Key performers — Boys: Arlo Taylor, Jr.; Donovan Tracy, So.; Hiroshi Estrada, So. Girls: Erika Youngdahl, So. (transfer from Yokota, first DODDS player to win a Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools Tournament singles title; fourth in Far East singles, third in Far East doubles last season); Christin Gentz, Sr. (defending Far East doubles champion); Min-jung Kim, Sr.Overview — Boys reloading, girls contending. Replacing departed Far East singles champions Kyle Sprow, Elissa Mason and doubles champion Eliott Mason a tough chore, but Youngdahl and Gentz should lock horns and battle well for that top girls spot; a solid 1-2 punch. Taylor headlines youthful boys side, definitely will contend in the future but perhaps the present as well.

Kubasaki Dragons, Camp FosterCoach — Stephanie Davis, second season.Key performers — Boys: Joseph Kim, Jr.; Dale Tubat, So.; Reej Buenaventure, Jr.; Lucas Board, Jr.; William Mike IV, Sr. Girls: Tammi Ragan, Sr.; Katelynn Knox, Sr.; Miasha Nakahara, Sr.; Tiajha Nakahara, Sr.; Monica Saldana, Sr.Overview — Boys rebuilding, girls contending. Boys lineup again hit hard by graduation and transfers; girls return plenty of experience and leadership.

JapanMatthew C. Perry Samurai, Marine Corps Air Station IwakuniCoach — Mark Lange, first season.Key performer — Boys: Sam Cadavos, So.; Cody Betts, Jr.; Sean Barker, Sr.; Yuta Fleming, Jr.; Yasuki Milsop, So. Girls: Rebekah Harwell, Jr.; Anne Naseer, So.Overview — Rebuilding-reloading. Most of the team that placed fourth at Far East has departed; should be competitive with other Division I schools, though.

E.J. King Cobras, Sasebo Naval BaseCoach — McKinzy Best, first season.Key performer — Boys: Oscar Martin, Jr.; Adam Sobieck, Jr. Girls: Catalina Campbell, Jr.; Yuka Goode, Jr.Overview — Rebuilding, rebuilding, rebuilding. Third coach in four seasons for the Cobras; just three returners, Best hopes to build on the new players, have them gain experience from lots of playing time.

Robert D. Edgren Eagles, Misawa Air BaseCoach — Mark Williams, first season.Key performers — Boys: Isaac Rodd, Sr.; Scott Cronin, Sr. Girls: Monica Cronin, So.Overview — Rebuilding. A small core of veteran players returns; everybody else is new, including the coach. Good news is the courts have been resurfaced, two more courts are coming and new equipment has come in.

Yokota Panthers, Yokota Air BaseCoach — Tommy Palmer, fifth season.Key performers — Boys: E.J. Bagtas, Jr.; Justin Stroup, So.; Noah Herring, So.; Mason Daniels, Sr.; Aaron Pak, Fr. Girls: Anju Yamanaka, So.; Misa Brophy, Jr.; Erika Ettl, Jr. (fifth in Far East singles, third in Far East doubles last year); Emily Beemsterboer, So.; Ashley Hirata, So., Olivia Herring, Jr.Overview — Boys reloading, girls contending. Though Erika Youngdahl has transferred to Kadena, this Panthers team might actually be deeper than in 2009. Ettl becomes the “new Erika” atop the girls lineup; Yamanaka-Brophy emerging as a doubles contender. Don’t sleep on this lot.

Zama American Trojans, Camp Zama/Atsugi Naval Air FacilityCoach — Wanda Finley, fifth season.Key performers — Boys: Nik Jorgenson, Sr.; Dominic Labrador, Sr.; Kenichi Mishler, Jr. Girls: Reina Staley, Sr.; Janice Johnson, Sr.Overview — Rebuilding. Good senior core of players departed; rest must improve and step up, Finley says..

Nile C. Kinnick Red Devils, Yokosuka Naval BaseCoach — Nicolas Hindie, ninth season.Key performers — Boys: Nate Rivera, Sr.; Ryan Su, Sr. Girls: Jillian Parker, Sr.Overview — Rebuilding. Most of last year’s squad a distant memory; this group also has several seniors and others who will transfer.

Significant dates this seasonTuesday, Oct. 19Okinawa Activities Council district doubles championship, Kadena at Kubasaki, 3 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 25Okinawa Activities Council district singles championship, Kubasaki vs. Kadena at Risner Tennis Complex, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 27Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools varsity tennis tournament, Shirako Tennis Complex, Shirako, Chiba Prefecture.

Friday, Oct. 29-Saturday, Oct. 30Korean-American Interscholastic Activities Conference Tennis Tournaments, Yongsan International School-Seoul

Friday, Nov. 5Okinawa Activities Council district mixed doubles championship, Kadena at Kubasaki, 9 a.m.

Monday, Nov. 8-Wednesday, Nov. 11Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Pacific Far East High School Tennis Tournament, Risner Tennis Complex, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa

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