Pleasant Valley, the top boys tennis team in the area a year ago, returns its entire singles lineup in 2018. Palmerton is another team that will be experienced at the top of its lineup as it returns two singles players. Meanwhile, both Lehighton and Jim Thorpe have just one singles player returning.

Palmerton and Pleasant Valley already have matches under their belt after opening their seasons earlier this week. Jim Thorpe and Lehighton are scheduled to open their season next week.

JIM THORPE

QUARTER CENTURY ... Norb Lienhard is in his 25th season as the Jim Thorpe boys tennis head coach. After going 5-10 a season ago, Lienhard is hoping his troop of returning players will allow improvement upon that mark.

KEY LOSSES ... Gone from a year ago are Shaun DiCostanzo (No. 1 singles) and Matt Green (No. 2 singles), Lienhard’s top two players from a year ago. However, the other five members of his starting lineup return, including seniors Matt Widdicombe and John Fedora, juniors Emilio Mercado and Erik McLean-Walter, and sophomore Raymond O’Neil.

OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK ... The veteran coach said, “The kids have been hitting during the winter and we are excited to get out on the courts. With five returning letter-winners, the team should be able to improve on last year’s record, as we are bringing back a wealth of experience.”

QUALITY OR QUANTITY ... With just 11 players on the roster, the Olympians don’t have as much depth as in recent seasons. “The players are coming into the season with playing time under their belts,” Lienhard said. “However, our numbers are low, so we cannot afford any injuries or sickness.”

LEHIGHTON

GETTING STARTED ... First-year head coach Joseph Zarelli takes over for longtime mentor, Dave Sherry, who stepped down after numerous years of service to the program. Also, Zarelli and the Tribe netters will need to play each match away, as their home courts at Maple Tree Inn Tennis Club are no longer in the picture.

FRIEND OR FOE??? ... “Palmerton was kind enough to host us for practice this season,” Zarelli said. “We’ve been traveling there for all of our outdoor practices and we are more than grateful.” Zarelli was also quick to thank another local coach, saying, “I’ve been lucky to consult with my old high school coach, Mark Allison, from Pleasant Valley, who has taken time out of his day to make things easier for me.”

WORK IN PROGRESS ... Zarelli welcomes plenty of new talent to his roster in this first season, including a number of seniors who are trying the sport for the first time. Returning starters are Maura Phelan, Mark Solt, Olivia Frendt, Miranda Pettit, and Gavin Cressley. According to Zarelli, “Some newcomers that may potentially get starting time are Nate Pettit-Clair and Tyler Steigerwalt.”

QUICK LEARNERS ... With one of the Indians’ major weaknesses being a lack of playing experience, Zarelli knows his team has work to do. “We have been focusing on fundamentals, the rules and positions of tennis,” he said. “However, many of our newcomers are student-athletes from other sports, and having that athletic background makes the transition much easier.”

PALMERTON

SWINGING SINGLES ... Palmerton returns its top two players from a season ago, along with an exchange student to beef up their singles competition. Junior Nate Andress returns to man the No. 1 slot, while Mattis Willuhn (German exchange student) will take the second singles position. Rounding out the Bombers’ top three is Marc Roselli, a senior, who is capable of challenging the top two at any time.

DOUBLES TROUBLE? ... If any area of Danzeisen’s lineup needs to improve, it will be in the doubles tandems, as several players were lost to graduation or other activities. Seniors Jon Hillanbrand and Kory Kratzer are newcomers to the sport and will need to learn while improving. Taylor Hirochek, a senior with one year of playing time, will team up with sophomore Erica Messics to form the No. 1 doubles team.

IMPROVEMENT NOTED ... According to second year coach, Jenn Danzeisen, “I have seen great improvement since last year in all of the returning players. Also, my new players are excited about the sport, want to learn more and get better every day.”

LITTLE BY LITTLE — Danzeisen and her squad have selected goals for the season, and one of them is to improve in any way possible. “We would like to improve their strategy, power, and control in singles,” she said. “In doubles, we want them to get better at working together, communicating and placement of the ball. Even if we go from losing 6-0 last year to losing 6-3 this year, that is an improvement!”

PLEASANT VALLEY

HOT AND COLD ... With six returning players to Pleasant Valley’s roster this season, head coach Mark Allison is expecting his team to be competitive throughout the league and district. “We have experience back in both singles and doubles,” Allison said. “However, with the lack of time on court, due to weather, we have that disadvantage.”

HIGH HOPES ... The goals for the Bears’ lineup remain consistent with each passing season, in that they would hope to improve with each passing practice, game, or match. The Bears are hoping to make a return to team districts again.

THEY’RE BACK ... Returning players include seniors Najja Francis, Jason Allesch and Brian Kagel; juniors Michael Trauer and Jake Ammermann; and sophomores Joshua Schaffner and John Berry. Ammermann, Francis and Schaffner comprised the Bears’ singles lineup a tear ago.

BIG SHOES TO FILL ... Gone from a season ago are Tyler Fahrenkopf, Adam Jetty, Antonio Carbone and Nick Vo, so the holes throughout the roster are there to be filled. Allison is looking to four juniors to fill in those missing gaps — Evan Thomas, Nathan Vo, Ben Jacoby and Caleb Jacoby.