1. Up-and-comers have a chance, too

Boys' tennis has been much quicker than girls' tennis to show change at the top. Boys mature athletically later than girls, which discourages lengthy dynasties (such as Edina's 19 consecutive girls' Class 2A championships). Boys' teams loaded with upperclassmen tend to overwhelm younger teams. Winning two consecutive Class 2A titles happens often, but no team has won three in a row since Edina from 1987 through 1989.

That allows up-and-comers to build with legitimate championship hopes. Minneapolis South did it in 2001, Elk River in 2012. While defending champion Mounds View, a member of tennis' old guard, is still a favorite to win another 2A crown, two teams that are just now establishing themselves as powers have legitimate hopes.

One is Shakopee, which hasn't made the state tournament as a team but might have the state's most talented lineup, The Sabers are led by junior singles stars Jackson Allen (third in Class 2A singles last year) and Alex Exsted.

The other, East Ridge, has qualified for the past two state tournaments and earned the No. 2 seed last year before getting upset by Elk River in the quarterfinals. If the Raptors can end Mounds View's 16-year hold on the Suburban East (and its previous incarnations), they have the depth to win it all.

2. Can Beaty get back?

Wayzata's Nick Beaty surprised a lot of people by winning the Class 2A singles championship as a sophomore in 2014. The lanky, erudite Beaty was a contemplative champion, a lefty who often outthought his opponents. As the top 2A seed in the 2015 singles tournament, Beaty lost in the semifinals. This spring, look for the senior, having signed a scholarship to play at Michigan next year, to make a strong run at another state championship. He will need to get by Shakopee's Allen, who defeated him in the semifinals last year and has won six consecutive meetings in USTA tournament tennis.

3. Weathering the lacrosse hit

After years of growth in the 2000s, participation in high school tennis has stagnated in recent years, according to the National Federation of High Schools. In Minnesota, boys' tennis numbers have remained relatively stable despite an anticipated hit because of the growth of lacrosse.

"We have 37 kids out for tennis this spring," Cretin-Derham Hall coach Randy Muetzel said. "Before we offered lacrosse, we had around 45 kids each year."

A number of coaches said lacrosse has siphoned athletes from more than one sport and has not significantly affected boys' tennis.

"My impression is that lacrosse has taken numbers away from all spring sports," Elk River coach Randy Ronning said.

JIM PAULSEN