Times News area tennis squads enter the 2022 season with a mix of youth and experience on their rosters, a mix that should lead to both strong results and continued improvement throughout the spring.

JIM THORPE

KEY LOSSES … Connor Rodgers and Daniel Teets, who were the Olympians’ No. 1 and No. 2 Singles’ players last season, as well as Michael Carrol, who was a member of No. 1 Doubles’ team, have all graduated. The trio left their mark on the program, according to Olympian coach Sam Lux. “Connor, Danny, and Michael were awesome tennis players who set a great example for the underclassmen last season,” Lux said.

CLIMBING THE LADDER … Seniors Brendan McDermott and Haven Johnson return for their senior season, while junior Jayden Chambers and sophomore Sam Seachrest also return. McDermott will move from No. 3 to No. 1 singles’ this year. Seachrest moves from doubles a year ago to No. 2 singles’ this year. Johnson and Chambers are competing for the final spot in singles’ play, as both played together last season at No. 2 doubles.

NEW TALENT … Freshman Evan Rosenbrook is looking to contribute in his first varsity season. He will be a member of the No. 1 Doubles’ team.

MAKING PROGRESS … Lux enters his second season with the program, and has stated the Olympians are taking the necessary steps to not only match last year’s 10-5 record, but also, have high hopes to exceed it. “Our team is already showing tremendous improvement. Tennis is a difficult sport to pick up, so it says a lot about the kids on our team who are not afraid to learn something new - no matter how difficult it might be. Our goal for this season is to have fun and continue to improve, and I’m confident that we will be competitive and have a fun season.”

BACK IN THE PLAYOFFS … In his first season with the program in 2021, Lux guided Jim Thorpe into the District playoffs - the first time in 10 years that it qualified. It was a short visit however, as the No. 7 seeded Olympians dropped an opening round 5-0 decision to No. 2 seed Blue Mountain. But, Lux said it provided fuel for the fire this season.

LEHIGHTON

YEAR TWO … Cody Schuler returns for his second season as Lehighton’s head coach, with the goal to improve on last season’s 3-9 record. “I am looking forward to building the team for the coming years, as well as taking our veteran players to the next step,” he said. “We want to have a better record than we did last year.”

MILLER TIME … Senior Aaron Miller is back for a final hurrah with the Indians, and is looking to match or better his impressive 8-2 record at No. 1 Singles a year ago.

PLENTY OF DEPTH … In addition to Miller, juniors Luke Blauch and Daniel Hoppes return and should occupy the other two singles spots. Also retuning to the lineup are doubles players Owen Kovach and Zane Smith. Other players looking to earn a spot in the starting lineup are senior Benjamin Slaw, junior Lucas Schatz and freshman Bayto Cokrlija.

GETTING BETTER … Schuler has high expectations for the 2022 Indians. “We are going to have a great season. We have so many talented returning players, and also a few who took a year off,” Schuler said. “Our team is dedicated, and enjoys enhancing its tennis game.”

BIG NUMBERS … The Indians’ roster has a total of 15 players with a wide range of experience and skills. The group ranges from Miller - the reigning Times News Tennis Player of the Year - to several players who haven’t played the sport before.

PALMERTON

PLEASED … In her fifth season with the program, Palmerton head coach Jennifer Danzeisen has a 12-person roster that includes a pair of girls. While the numbers are strong, Danzeisen said quite a few members of the team are first-time players. “They (the new players) are very athletic and have been quick learners. They already have the game rules and scoring down. They seem to really love it - and that is half the battle.”

HUGE LOSSES … Hunter Connell, Madison Balliet, Nolan Walters and Brayden Kline all graduated as a part of the PHS Class of 2021. That group combined to fill all three spots in the Bombers’ singles lineup, as well as a place on the No. 1 Doubles team.

RETURNING … Juniors Logan Connelly and Riley Fallon join sophomores Tyler Shollenberger and Colby Chadwick as the team’s four returning members.

SETTING THE STANDARD … After finishing 3-12 overall and 1-9 in the Colonial League last season, Danzeisen is looking for improvement. “Our goals are to get better at controlling the ball, yet playing aggressively for points,” she said. “I want to build the team, and prepare them to be better tennis players. We also want to pick up more wins this year, and I believe we will do that.”

A NEW SPORT … Juniors Justin Sebelin and Tyler Hager are playing tennis for the first time. Both were members of the successful Bombers’ golf team during the fall, Sebelin and Hager could contribute in their initial year playing the sport. “I’m pleased with their determination and abilities so far, and I’m hoping they will be in the starting lineup,” said Danzeisen.

PLEASANT VALLEY

EVERYBODY’S BACK … For one of few times in Mark Allison’s 30-plus years as the Pleasant Valley tennis coach, the Bears suffered no graduation losses. “We have a lot of kids returning, but as far as their overall time playing tennis is concerned, we are still inexperienced in the sport,” said Allison. “But we will continue to work hard, and look to continue to improve as the season progresses.”

SEASONED SINGLES’ PLAYERS … Not only are Atticus Gordon, Donovan Rizvic and Jack Ertle all back for their final season with PV tennis, they’re all returning to their same three spots in the singles lineup.

DOUBLES STARTERS … Ben Keppel and Jacob Hargrave both return for their sophomore season with the Bears, and both will be part of the doubles lineup, although Allison said he’ll use the early-season matches to decide their exact spots.

KEEP AN EYE ON … Senior Sam Knudsen, sophomores Chris Weiner and Damon McMurtry, and freshmen Noah Dolan, Roman Stever and Clark Po are all looking to break into the doubles lineup.

OUTLOOK … “We have a really nice group of boys to work with,” said Allison, when asked about the outlook on the upcoming season. “They continue to work very hard in practice. We aren’t setting a certain number of wins; we just want to be playing our best tennis at the end of the season.”

(Compiled by TJ Engle)