Steve Langevin isn’t expecting a state title, a playoff run or even a playoff berth from his Pembroke Academy girls tennis team.

The Spartans’ fifth-year coach knows what his squad is – a “developmental program” made up largely of athletes who never played before high school – and what it isn’t. And he’s been reminded of it.

“Last year, we were playing one time, and a (an opposing player’s) parent said, ‘My daughter has been playing for eight years.’ ‘Yeah,’” Langevin recalled replying, “‘my girl has been playing for eight days.’ That’s who we’re going against a little bit.”

Yet, as Pembroke rolled through Kingswood, 8-1, on Friday, April 20, all of the past struggles – inexperience, losses to graduation, even injury and illness – moved from the forefront. Pembroke would like to keep it that way.

Despite losing their top singles player for medical reasons, the Spartans have a lot to be positive about this spring, starting with a motivated group of juniors intent on leading the way.

In earning their team’s first win of the young season, juniors Lindsay Tiddes, with an 8-1 triumph; Melissa Lussier, also at 8-1; and Melinda Blais, at 8-2, all posted convincing victories at No. 1, 2 and 3 singles, respectively.

They headed a group that also included senior Christa Antosh, an 8-4 winner at No. 4; sophomore Lindsay Crete, an 8-2 victor at No. 5; and junior Haley Harper, who earned her first varsity win with an 8-0 shutout at No. 6.

In fact, from Lussier on down, the victories were all career firsts.

Lussier also teamed with Tiddes, the team’s only returning varsity player, for an 8-5 win at No. 1 doubles, while Stephanie Allen and Vanessa Moniz each earned their first win with an 8-2 victory at No. 3 doubles.

After learning the week prior that the team’s original No. 1 player, Krys Krycki, would miss the entire season due to illness, players agreed the team win was a definite confidence boost, especially for those expected to help replace the six graduated seniors.

It’s a tall task for a program never long on winning, but not short on optimism.

“I think they’re ready, but they’re not confident in themselves because it’s only their third varsity match,” Tiddes said of the new varsity players, which also includes senior Rachel Boddie, who’s expected to see time at No. 6. “But I think we’re going to improve – a lot. And next year, we’re going to be even better because all these players are going to stay.”

As PA matures this season, it’ll also do so with a far friendlier schedule than in past years. Of the 13 teams Pembroke played last spring, 10 were tournament teams. The Spartans finished 2-11, including 2-1 against nonplayoff squads. This year, they see several teams they plan to be competitive with, including Monadnock, Kearsarge and Kingswood for a second time.

After gracing the team’s schedule twice each in past years, local powers Bow and Bishop Brady come calling once.

“I feel a lot better, a lot more confident this year,” Lussier said.

“We only have a couple tough matches, but I think we can do it.”

She then added, laughing, “Or lose close.”