EPHRATA — Spring tennis is back at Ephrata High School, and both boys and girls programs are stepping onto the court with expanded rosters and a focus on growth.

Boys: A season of development

Greg Becker is in his second year leading the boys varsity program. Before taking the top job, he spent three years coaching junior varsity at EHS and coached girls varsity at Gig Harbor High School for five years in the early 2000s.

Sixteen boys turned out this spring. Returning varsity players Mitch Morford and Avery Morris are both expected to compete in singles. Becker is also counting on a group of newcomers to contribute at the varsity level: Athen Gault, Ben McLain, Aidan Murray, Eli Richards, Gavin Somes and Daniel Kissler.

Becker's message to the team is consistent. "The strength of the team is in the individual, and the strength of the individual is in the team."

East Valley and Othello are the CWAC's historically dominant programs, and Becker said both report strong turnouts this spring. He isn't looking past anyone. "I am pleased the CWAC is competitive as it is," he said. "It helps develop our players, win or lose."

Girls: New coach, big turnout

New coach Michael Bosnar takes over the girls program for the first time this season. He brings a background in private adult instruction and played competitively from 2009 to 2013, when he said East Valley and Othello were consistently tough opponents.

About 30 girls turned out through the first week of practice. Three returning varsity players lead the roster: senior Lilly Brewer, junior Kara Davis and sophomore Jillian Linehan. Freshmen Maycee Black and Kaitlyn Wolther are newcomers to watch.

Bosnar asked every player to set a goal for the season and expects to be held accountable to it. His motto is straightforward. "Every time our student-athletes step onto the court, they have a choice: improve or stay the same," he said. "Our expectation is that they choose improvement."

He had a pointed message for returners on day one, "Dial in. I promise you've never played the game the way you will this season."

Bosnar, Becker and JV head coach Taylor Perez are working jointly across both programs this spring.

The Tigers travel to Chelan on Tuesday for a season-opening match at 4 p.m.