Girls soccer

Head coach: Ivo Ivanov, second year

Key returners: Lexi Brady, eighth grade; Lara Thompson, senior; Calli Noller, senior; Alyson Oliver, sophomore; Hannah Spomer, sophomore; Phoebe Grabill, eighth grade; Emily Padgett, freshman.

Impact newcomers: Eilish Gibson, eighth grade; Raquel Dominguez, eighth grade; Elizabeth Padgett, eighth grade; Taylor Sweeney, eighth grade.

Reason to hope: Most of the Seabury players return from last season, and a number of players from last year’s JV team will move up, as well. More than anything, however, Ivanov cites chemistry as the main source of his optimism. “Internal dynamics on a high school girls team is very complicated, but not on this team,” said the coach. “The girls like each other, and when a team likes each other, it shows on the field.”

Reason to fear: Seabury loses both of its goalkeepers — Bria Phipps and Arielle Spiridigliozzi — from last season to graduation, and will be forced to break in a new goalie. Defensively, the team will also deal with the loss of some personnel.

If you go to one game make it this one: Seabury vs. Maranantha, at Seabury (YSI) on May 6.

Coach speak: “The defensive line is going to be a little bit vulnerable,” Ivanov said. “(We) lost some players on the defense, so we might give up a few goals. But the girls are so smart and there’s so much chemistry that I think they’ll compensate quickly.”

Boys golf

Head coach: Eric Edwards, third year

Key returners: Reed Grabill, junior.

Reason to hope: The Seahawks will return Grabill, who qualified for the state tournament as a freshman in 2008 but missed the ’09 version after a disqualification at regionals, as well as a deep and talented group of underclassmen — including Fisher Almanza, Brandon McCaffrey and Michael Kressig — that figures to contribute.

Reason to fear: As a young team, Seabury will have to battle inexperience and learn to control emotion early on. In addition, Austin Baron, who finished fifth in the state tournament as a freshman last season, is no longer with the program.

Coach speak: “I am very excited to see how this young golf team grows this season,” Edwards said. “Right now, there are a lot of unknowns, but by the end of the season and with a lot of hard work, we should be able to do well at regionals and qualify the team for the state tournament.”

Boys tennis

Head coach: Megan King, first year

Reason to hope: A young team, the Seahawks should improve steadily throughout the season. “We have nothing to lose,” King said. “We are a young team with some experience, but not a lot, so they will win some, and they will lose some.”

Reason to fear: The team’s inexperience will likely be its greatest challenge.

If you go to one game make it this one: Seabury vs. KCCS, April 8, at Seabury.

Coach speak: “This is my first season coaching boys tennis at Bishop Seabury, so I also have a big learning curve,” King said. “So far it has all been fun — getting to know the kids, and seeing them improve already. This is a great group of kids with very positive attitudes. I can’t wait to see them play some matches.”