After getting off to their best start in program history last year, the boys of Pembroke Academy tennis are looking for a repeat performance. Only this time, they’re targeting a different postseason outcome.

A quick start might not be as easy this season, as the Spartans graduated three of their top six players in No. 2 David Andrews, No. 3 Jon Mehegan and No. 4 Jacob Parris.

Welcoming six returners and eight newcomers, head coach Dave Doherty said the upcoming season is full of currently unanswerable questions.

“This year we have a new schedule with some teams we’ve never seen before,” said Doherty. “Things can change so quickly. One kid leaves or joins the team, and it could be a completely different team. This season should be interesting.”

Anchoring a majority of underclassmen on Doherty’s roster, junior trio Bobby Thomas, Dan Bouchard and Jake Plourde lead Pembroke’s singles rotation. Thomas should resume his spot at the top, while Bouchard and Plourde project to move up from their 2006 standings at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

Tim Phair and Steve Boddie, who played a number of doubles matches last season, should play a significant role as singles players this year.

Senior newcomer Ben Martin joins a small group who will learn the game from scratch. “We’re practically starting over,” said Thomas. “We have such a young team, and the new guys are enthusiastic, but they don’t have a lot of experience to draw from. I’m just hoping we can play well again and maybe get past the first round this year.”

After losing to Hanover in last year’s Class I tournament, the Spartans won’t face the Marauders this season, but PA sees Souhegan for the first time and meets Bow once instead of twice. Pembroke also takes on Kennett, last year’s runner-up.

Doherty said the combination of inexperience and unfamiliar foes can result in wild swings in performance.

“It’s good having young guys because they can stick around, get better and play one day,” said Doherty. “But last year’s gone, and it doesn’t affect this year. It’s all up in the air right now.”

The Spartans start their season at Bow on Friday, April 13.