MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSUM tennis will kickoff their spring slate with a match-up with Concordia College on Friday. Start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. from Courts Plus Community Fitness in Fargo, N.D.

The Dragons were selected eighth in the NSIC's preseason coaches' poll. MSUM went 5-12 a year ago

MSUM will welcome back two returners to this year's team in junior Madison Bell and sophomore Tia Dykema. Bell went 9-8 as a sophomore last year, starting in all 17 matches. Dykema also started all 17 matches a year ago, going 10-7 in singles play and 9-8 in doubles. 

The Dragons welcome four freshman to the fold this season in Tiannah Gu, Marissa Burian, Lakia Manska and Claire Nemmers. Gu is a two-time North Dakota High School state singles champion while Burian was an all-state selection for Fargo Davies, who won the North Dakota High School team championship a year ago. Manska, a Morris, Minn., native, totaled 37 wins in her prep career with Nemmers being a four-time all-conference performer. 

Shaelyn Johnson rounds out the Dragons roster this season. A transfer from Bemidji State, Johnson was tabbed as MSUM's player to watch this preseason. Johnson was an All-NSIC singles and doubles player a year ago for the Beavers, tallying a 10-2 singles record to go along with a 8-4 doubles mark.

Alexis Konecne will begin her first season as head coach of MSUM tennis on Friday.