JIM THORPE

Head coach - Norb Leinhard (17th year)Assistant coaches - Janet FarraLast year's record - 7-9 overallLeague - IndependentDistrict 11 classification - AAKey losses - Nate SchmidtKey returnees - Sam Lux (Sr.), Zach Ligenza (Sr.), Oliver Schultz (Sr.), Josh Mohn (Sr.), Mitch Franko (Jr.), James Denny (Jr.)Others to watch - Tom Smythe (Jr.), Danny Meader (Sr.), Arrista Voorhess (Sr.), Sean Parrish (Jr.)Strengths - Leinhard pinpointed that the Olympians' main strength lies in the play of Sam Lux, who returns for his second year as the program's No. 1 singles' player. After rattling off a 14-2 record over the course of last season, Lux will once again be looked at for a guaranteed team point in every match this season. The Olympians also may have a potential team point coming from the likes of the No. 1 doubles tandem in Oliver Schultz and Josh Mohn, who have been playing double together for the last three years.Weaknesses - Right now Leinhard has the tough task of filling in the spots at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, but it may be somewhat of good thing with all of the available talent to choose from. It's going to be a tough assignment to accomplishment since he has several players that are of equal ability. The Olympians have to look where each and every one of them fits best in the lineup.Quotable - "The seniors are definitely going to be the leaders on the court this year. We're going to count on them a lot, especially Sam, Josh and Zach, for that necessary leadership. We're planning on them to go out there and get a lot of victories for the team and the others will have to pick up from there then," - Head coach Norb Leinhard.LEHIGHTONHead coach - Dave Sherry (14th season)Last year's record - 1-13 overallLeague - Mountain Valley ConferenceDistrict 11 classification - AAKey returnees - James Sverchek (So.), Nick Mantz (So.), Jessica Lobien (Jr.), Deborah Lobien (Jr.)Others to watch - Kirk Arner (Jr.), Steph Slaw (Jr.)Strengths - Sverchek and Mantz won several matches as freshmen last year. Sherry believes these two individuals are going to take a step in the right direction and improve on their all-around games a bit more this year. He sees good things happening for these two individuals down the road.Weaknesses - Depth is definitely a concern for the Indians this year. Without a doubt, it's going to be a tough task for these individuals to play competitively against larger schools. Still, Sherry stated he has a great group of kids and they're simply ready to improve on their all-around game.Quotable - "Things are definitely looking up right now for Lehighton tennis. We're doing the best we can as a team to improve and there's no doubt that we will. Our team is going to be continueslessly improving over the next three years," - Head coach Dave Sherry.PALMERTONHead coach - Danielle Schneider (1st season)Last year's record - 7-8League - Colonial LeagueDistrict 11 classification - AAKey losses - Dave Semmel, Brett Gildner, Lee Arner, Nicole HaasKey returnees - Devon Frey (Jr.), Lydia Anthony (So.)Others to watch - James Apgar (Jr.), Kevin Dayton (Fr.), Nathan Fronheiser (Fr.), Spencer Shigo (Fr.), Cody MacDonald (So.), Kayla Strohl (So.)Strengths - In her first year with the program, Schneider is impressed with the willingness of the players to learn all the aspects of the game. From the way she is implicating it in practice sessions, the kids have seemed to taken to the philosophy and gotten better.Weaknesses - With it being a learning experience for herself as a rookie coach, it is a given that the Bombers' area of concern lies in the lack of varsity experience. It's obvious in the fact that the Bombers took a hit in the lineup with the loss of all three singles' players - Dave Semmel, Brett Gildner and Lee Arner - to graduation.Quotable - "This is all new to me as a rookie coach, but I will expect a good effort and we will see what happens. All I can say is that we have a good group of kids that give it 100-percent all the time," - Head coach Danielle Schneider.PLEASANT VALLEYHead coach - Mark Allison (15th season)Last year's record - 6-9League - Mountain Valley ConferenceDistrict 11 classification - AAAKey losses - Tobias Schmidt, Canaan Schultheis, Joe SteoKey returnees - Zach Kemmerer (Sr.), Dan Galante (Sr.), Kevin Peer (Jr.), Justin Kemmerer (Jr.), Wilson Wong (Jr.), Tom Park (Jr.)Others to watch - Ben Parham (Sr.), Joe Osinski (Jr.), Andy Russo (Jr.), Anthony Wong (Jr.), Vince Voulo (So.)Strengths - There is definitely a strong work ethic present for Allison this season. So far the players are showing enthusiasm towards the sport. According to Allison, there is a sense of depth throughout the lineup as well.Weaknesses - The roster needs to gain experience at both the singles and the doubles positions. Further more, in the big matches, there will need to be some signs of rising to the occasion.Quotable - "We will be successful and have a good season this year if we continue to work hard and work to improve on the sport as the season progresses." - Head coach Mark Allison.TAMAQUAHead coach - Jennel Yelito (1st season)Last year's record - 3-11 overallLeague - IndependentDistrict 11 classification - AAKey losses - Cody Wisniewski, Ryan Oravec, Bobby Whitley, Alex Jones, Harrison StollKey returnees - Dillion Epler (Sr.), Matthew Hadesty (Jr.), Evan Stoll (Jr.)Others to watch - Kyle Oliver (Sr.), Eric Fiorilla (Fr.), Joseph Binder (Fr.), Spencer Bennett (Jr.)Strengths - This year's squad may be young and fresh to the idea of varsity tennis. However, Yelito sees a great amount of potential for growth and the chance to become skilled in the game itself.Weaknesses - The Blue Raiders took a huge hit across their entire lineup with the loss of Wisniewski, Oravec, Whitley, Jones and Stoll to graduation. Yelito is forced to fill the seasoned shoes' of Wisniewski, Oravec and Whitely, who all played singles for the Blue Raiders. On top of it, the first year coach has to replace the spots vacated in doubles' play by Jones and Stoll. It may be a tough task to even think about, but Yelito believes these individuals will work hard to achieve leadership as much as overall quality throughout the course of the regular season.Quotable - "This season our focus is to take positive steps to learn each point and match played in order to excel and become the best athletes possible. Each player has an individual goal to work towards throughout their season," - Head coach Jennel Yelito.