A bit of a rebuilding task is ahead of the Portsmouth High girls' tennis as the 2004 season approaches.

The Patriots lost several key contributors off of last year's squad, including each of their four singles performers, from a group that reached the then Class B state semifinals before losing to eventual champion and unbeaten Prout.

"We have a challenge in front of us this season," said Portsmouth coach Mike Medeiros.

Making things a bit easier on the Pats and the rest of the league, which is now called Division Two-South after realignment, is the fact that the dominant Prout contingent has moved up.

The Crusaders along with South Kingstown, which also went up to Division One, were the top squads in recent seasons.

"Even with Prout and South Kingstown going up we still have a pretty competitive division," said Medeiros. "East Greenwich has come down, and they're supposed to be tough. And Rogers and Narragansett are still there."

"Still there" for the Pats are five players that saw mostly doubles action a year ago, but who are likely to climb the ladder into singles.

Seniors Katerie Chappell and Taylor Keen were Portsmouth's No. 1 doubles tandem last season. Sophomore Ali Medeiros played at two pairs. Junior Katie Humphrey was a part-time player last year that should become a regular this time out.

Junior Maddie Nicholson did spend most of 2003 at the No. 4 singles spot before succumbing to illness late in the season.

About a dozen new athletes are in contention with the five returnees for the 10 regular playing positions (four singles and three doubles teams).

"There's no one favorite in our division like there has been the last few years," said Medeiros. "It should make for exciting matches all season."

PORTSMOUTH HIGH Girls' Tennis Division Two-South

2004 returnees: seniors - Katerie Chappell, Taylor Keen; juniors - Maddie Nicholson, Katie Humphrey; sophomores - Ali Medeiros

Head coach: Mike Medeiros

2003 record: 8-6, T-3 Class B-South

2003 playoffs: quarterfinals, defeated Cumberland 5-2; semifinals, lost to Prout 6-1

BY MIKE REGO

mrego@eastbaynewspapers.com