At first singles, Griffin Fein faces a number of formidable foes. But his most grueling match at Sharon High?

That would be a challenge for the top spot from teammate Fred Bondar last season. It was a three-hour marathon in which Fein stayed No. 1.

“We were really just going at it,’’ Fein recalled after Sharon cruised to a 5-0 Hockomock League victory at Milford High on Monday afternoon, improving to 9-1 overall.

“It wasn’t a fun match.’’

Fein won that challenge, and his focus on position and shot planning at the Natick Racquet Club has given the junior a slight edge this season.

Fein and Bondar always have close competitions. On Monday, their respective matches were over quickly.

Always seemingly two shots ahead of his foe, Fein rolled, 6-0, 6-0, at first singles.

Bondar, a sophomore, tallied a 6-1, 6-0 victory, using a powerful serve and a dexterous crosscourt forehand honed at the Lakeville Tennis Academy.

The two are the headliners this spring for a Sharon High squad that expects to win. Every match. Every season.

In a 36-year span, and under the direction of three coaches, the Eagles have won at least a share of the Hock title every year since 1980.

The majority of the players participate in USTA matches and train at clubs in the offseason.

Not all of their league matches are lopsided victories, but many are. And sometimes, the most heated competition plays out in practice, between matches.

Challenge matches set a lineup. Players can challenge teammates above them on the ladder. And if the challenger prevails, he or she seizes the higher spot.

“The outcome — whichever one of us plays one or two singles — isn’t really that important to both of us,’’ said Bondar. “[It’s more] coming out as a better player with more practice.’’

Old Rochester High has won 29 straight South Coast Conference matches , and the past two conference titles .

And like Sharon, the Bulldogs utilize challenge matches to keep everyone fresh, and on their toes.

“What I do a lot is dig deeper into my lineup,’’ said Old Rochester coach Russ Keeler.

“To give other kids the opportunity to play at varsity.’’

Junior Alex Bilodeau and sophomore Sam Pasquill can be found with a duel for the first singles, the most coveted spot on the team.

Old Rochester typically runs three or four sets of challenge matches every season. Bilodeau and Pasquill play often in practice and challenges, which requires each player to get creative and try new things.

“We have to try to switch it up a bit,’’ said Pasquill, who earned the first singles spot for six matches before Bilodeau won a challenge last week.

“You can’t keep the same pattern.’’

The Ursuline Academy girls’ program is in a similar situation, with three underclassmen battling for placement on the singles ladder.

Sophomore Mimi Dailey holds the No. 1 spot, with freshmen Alessia Cahoon and Megan Etienne at second and third.

“It’s an interesting dynamic in that the top three players are in ninth and 10th grade,’’ said coach Kirby Morrison .

“I pit them against each other every single week . . . They’re all neck-and-neck with each other.’’

The tight competition is also beneficial for players not involved in the challenges.

Apponequet Regional girls’ coach Ken Lanyon has his younger players watch those challenges.

“I’ll bring them up and tell them to sit and watch,’’ Lanyon said.

“You need to emulate them.

Senior Addie Kendall, juniors Devin Ahearn and Shawna Walker and freshman Leanne Kendall make up the Lakers’ top four. The quartet will typically swap positions at various times through the year, based on the results of challenge matches.

“It really makes practices much more meaningful,’’ Lanyon said.

“We have four really good players and we can interchange them.’’

In Monday’s 5-0 victory over Bourne, the Kendall sisters played first and second singles, Ahearn played third singles and senior Ana Rodrigues teamed with Walker at first doubles.

The doubles competition is particularly enticing for the Norwell High girls. Coach Judith Field-McGloin has eight girls vying for four doubles spots.

“The players who are really looking for that spot are working on their game, finding their partner,’’ Field-McGloin said.

Junior Caroline Plansky emphasized the importance of good chemistry in ladder matches. Field-McGloin lets the players give input before selecting the pairings.

“Some players are better in groundstrokes and some players are better at net,’’ Plansky said.

“You need to find someone who has the opposite skill set.’’

The Clippers have to strike a balance between competition and cooperation.

“You always have to be positive,’’ said junior captain Colleen McLaughlin .

“If you don’t play one match you have to keep your head up and keep your leadership up.’’

Added junior Delaney Uhlman : “It’s all about remembering that whoever wins will make Norwell better and that’s what counts.’’

At Sharon, senior captain Tilak Mehta and freshman Danujan Thirumavalavan team up at first doubles. They were unable to claim one of the three singles spots, but as Mehta noted, “it gives us a lot of depth.’’

“We’re trying to take our singles skills into doubles and become more doubles players.’’

But all agree, the team comes first.

“We do everything by letting your racquet do the talking,’’ said Sharon coach Joan Cutter, whose squad lost to Wayland, 3-2, in last year’s Division 2 state final.

“They need each other. They’re only as good as their practice partners.’’

Added Fein, “It’s not really about me and him competing. It’s more about both of us trying to get good enough so we can win it this year.’’

Matt MacCormack can be reached at matt.maccormack@globe.com.