Poplar Bluff seniors, from left, (front row), David Allison, Salman Chaudhry, Kyle West, Malay Bhatt, Asim Choudhary, (back row) Adam Davis, Chris Drury, Davis Wilson, Kyle York and Kelsey Brown and Navneet Hundal will lead the Mules this spring. (Brian Rosener/DAR) [Click to enlarge]

By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor

Charles Harper has a tough equation to solve this spring. The Poplar Bluff tennis coach has 11 seniors fighting for six varsity spots.

It's a good problem to have.

"It's kind of a different dynamic," Harper said. "I know there's always going to be a next year and I've got some pretty good new guys coming in, (but) it's different.

"It's sort of seems like the end but I know it's not."

It will be for the seniors who finished fifth in the district tournament for the second straight year.

Malay Bhatt who was 18-4 last season and won a district singles title will look to return to the state tournament for a third straight year where he won a match in the consolation bracket last spring.

"That's not a given by any means to get there," Harper said. "He hopes to do that and (would like to earn a medal)."

Davis Wilson appears to move up into the No. 2 singles spot for the Mules, who are scheduled to open the season today in Charleston. The senior played most of last season at the third spot and Harper said Davis has improved by putting in extra time on the court.

Chris Drury looks to start at No. 3 while Kelsey Brown another returning senior moves up to the fourth spot.

"Their forte is doubles, them playing together and I think they're just going to get better at that " Harper said.

There are four to five players fighting for the final two starting singles spots, Harper said but the weather has made it difficult for players to challenge each other. Only once this spring have the Mules had consecutive days out on the court, and even when it's sunny, puddles of water may close one of the four courts.

When forced inside, the Mules head to the at First Methodist Church gym, which has one net.

"It's not great but it's sure better than nothing," Harper said. "(The weather has) definitely been a factor, it's been the worst we've had."

Among year the players battling for a spot in the lineup are seniors Navneet Hundal Asim Choudhary Kyle West, Kyle York, David Allison, Salman Chaudhary and Adam Davis. Anderson Gilberto, a sophomore who got a varsity start last year, is also in the hunt.

Derek Spencer, a junior, sophomores Logan Page, Salman Sagarwala, Ethan Hamilton, Justin Dority and Drew Ernest along with freshman Mohammed Abbas, Ethan Campbell and Jeremine Hubbard will try to move up the ladder and prepare for taking over next spring.

"On any given day any of them could beat any of the others," said Harper of the battle for the final two spots. "It could switch around some."