The Prior Lake girls tennis team has been one of the dominant programs in the state over the last six years.

But last fall, the Lakers were denied a sixth straight trip to state, losing 4-3 to Minnetonka in the Section 2AA title match. Can Prior Lake reclaim its crown this season?

That's the goal for Lakers coach PJ Priest.

"We have set the goals high as we have a very deep lineup," Priest said. "The first step is to remain [South Suburban Conference] champions, but ultimately to win the section title and make it to the state tournament.

"Our team has the strength to make a strong push for a state title," Priest added. "We just need to focus and execute at the right time. It’s going to be a fun and wild ride this year. We might surprise a lot of teams."

The Lakers finished 16-3 overall last year, winning the SSC crown with a 9-0 mark. Prior Lake was hit hard by graduation, losing four of its top 10 players from a year ago.

But there's talent back, starting with senior Charlotte Bowles. She won the Class AA state doubles title with then-senior Taylor Jackson last year. Prior Lake has won the last two doubles crowns with Jackson and Savanna Crowell winning in 2016.

Senior Kathryn Wu will also be one to watch near the top of the Lakers' singles lineup, while seniors Nic Keller and Madeline Roess also return. Senior Elizabeth Dolby was a top doubles player last fall, while sophomores Kelly Wu and Katelyn Lam will also be in the singles and doubles mix.

Priest said seventh-grader Tianna Houske will also be one to watch.

"She is expected to make a significant impact in the varsity lineup," he said.

Prior Lake will open the season Aug. 18 in the Rochester Invitational at 9 a.m. The Lakers are in a triangular match Aug. 21 at Princeton with Mounds View there as well.

The Lakers open the SSC season at Eagan Aug. 23 at 4 p.m. Eagan has won the last the three Section 3AA titles.

Prior Lake has captured sixth of the last seven SSC crowns, including wining 58 of 63 total singles and doubles matches against league foes last season. Since 2010, the Lakers have lost just once conference match and that was to Eagan in 2016.

Meanwhile, in Section 2AA, Minnetonka has made the finals 11 straight seasons, winning nine titles with its two losses to the Lakers in 2015 and 2016. Prior Lake was in Section 3AA before that, winning three straight crowns there from 2012 to 2014.

So unless another Section 2AA team steps up, the Lakers and Skippers could be a headed for a fourth straight meeting in the title match come October.

Prior Lake's first time on its home court this season is Aug. 25 when it takes takes on Duluth East and Sioux Falls Gorman in a triangular match starting at 9 a.m.

"Our team is looking strong again," Priest said. "We lost a couple key players including two time state doubles champion [in Jackson] and a doubles specialist in Lindsay Henderson. But the remaining players are well experienced in postseason play and our hopes are to bring another conference title as well as section 2AA title back to Prior Lake."