Looking around the Liberty tennis courts this season, there are few familiar faces. The Patriots lost seven of the 10 varsity members from last season.

Among the seven players gone are all of the team’s top seven varsity players, except senior Kayli Stix.

“We’ve only got three returning varsity players,” said Liberty coach Mike Salokas. “They weren’t our best players from last year, but they’re definitely good players.”

Sophomore Amber Eastham is the team’s top singles player. What sets her apart from many Patriots tennis players is the fact that she plays club tennis year-round.

Stix is the team’s captain. She plays in the second singles spot. Junior Alson Martin also returns from varsity last season.

The biggest surprise for Salokas has been Emmie Kellog-Smith. Kellog-Smith is a transfer and has experience playing competitive tennis.

Rounding out the varsity squad are Jamie Hitchock, Nicole Smith, Anna Dalgardno, Audrey LaFraugh, Amanda Morton and Robin Bullock.

Liberty has 10 varsity players, 11 JV players and 13 members in a development program.

Salokas has found a way for players in the other programs who are close to moving up to the next level to be included in the tennis program. With Liberty’s junior varsity development team, the Patriots give 13 extra players the chance to build their skills.

“In a lot of other programs, these would be the kids who would immediately get cut,” Salokas said. “But they have the desire and they have the willingness. They don’t have the skill yet, but I feel that being out there every day and hitting balls is going to make them better.”

The program has led to Liberty carrying 34 players, the biggest team Salokas has had in his three years at Liberty.

“That’s kind of the distinction about us this year,” he said. “We’re high on numbers, but a lot of those kids are new to tennis. But you’ve got to start somewhere.”

The rainy weather set back the Patriots’ rebuilding effort because the team has practiced mostly inside, and it’s difficult to assess the young players in the gym.

“We’ll be doing a lot of assessment during matches,” He said. “But it’s been equally bad for everybody, I’m sure everyone’s behind in their schedule from where they want to be.”

So far this season Liberty is 0-5 with close losses to Bellevue and Sammamish.