The start of the 2017 tennis season for area teams has already been delayed by over a week because of last week's storm. All four area teams are hopeful of getting on the court soon as the snow continues to melt and the weather begins to cooperate.

Here are some things to look for when the season does get underway:LEHIGHTONPOST GRAD RECOVERY... Five of the Indians' top players from a season ago have graduated so coach Dave Sherry has his work cut out for him in terms of replacements. Times News Player of the Year Tegan Durishin played No. 1 singles for the Tribe, while Josh Knappenberger, Andrea Schafer, Thomas Phelan and Jacob Hoffner have also moved on.GUESS WHO'S BACK... Sherry will be counting on seniors Mike Pados, Elisa Blocker and Cheyenne Pettit; juniors Maura Phelan and Michael Bongiorno; and sophomore Olivia Freundt to help overcome the losses suffered through graduation.PREP PERIOD... Up until last week, the Indians were out, taking advantage of the warmer weather, getting as much court time as possible before Stella arrived. "We had a lot of time outside earlier, but we'll do what we can with the situation now," Sherry stated. "We'll do what we can."STAY POSITIVE... Dealing with losses from a strong lineup is nothing new for teams, and especially Sherry, who remains optimistic in the face of adversity. "Losing Tegan, Josh and the others definitely hurts. But we have some quality kids that have experience playing and we're going to work hard and try to have some fun."PALMERTONTAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER... First-year head coach Jenn Danzeisen takes the helm for the Blue Bombers, after Alex Knoll stepped down for time with his family. Danzeisen is "thrilled" for the chance to direct the netters in Palmerton and looks forward to it. "I've always wanted to encourage more people to join the tennis team, but being a small school, it's difficult. Hopefully, I can inspire the kids to love the sport."A YEAR LATER... The Bombers lost in the first round of the District 11 team tournament a season ago and finished the year at 12-6. Graduated from that squad are Jacob Brown, Sal Melo, Seth Andress, Gavin Scott and Calvin Koch. Danzeisen is looking to Nate Andress (So.), Marc Roselli (Jr.), Mercy Melo (Sr.), Nicole Andress (Sr.) and Carolyn Fronheiser (Jr.) to step up and offset the hit that graduation took.INEXPERIENCE A-PLENTY... The Bombers have two players in Nate Andress and Marc Roselli who gained a lot of experience in seasons past. However, a majority of the remaining players on the roster are first-year players. The Bombers also have a number of girls on their coed squad, while the majority of teams they play will be comprised solely of boys.EARLY GOING EXPECTATIONS... With the large amount of inexperience, Danzeisen remains hopeful that the student-athletes' optimism and willingness to learn translates into some competitive matches. "They are very positive and willing to learn," Danzeisen said. "They seem to really like playing the game and want to improve with each passing day. They also take constructive criticism well and they get along well with each other."JIM THORPEELDER STATESMAN... Jim Thorpe head coach Norb Lienhard returns for his 24th season as the Olympians' boys' head tennis coach and is just as enthused about his team this season as he was in his first. Last year, Thorpe finished at 0-18 and have lost two of their top players in Luke Carter and Chris Widdicombe.MANY HAPPY RETURNS... Senior Shaun DiCostanzo returns for his final season, and is ready for the No. 1 singles position. Other key players back are Matt Green (Sr.), Matt Widdicombe (Jr.), John Fedora (Jr.), Emilio Mercado (So.), and Erik McLane-Walters (So.). Shane Meckes (Sr.) and Raymond O'Neil (Fr.) are also looking to make immediate contributions.OFF-COURT WORK... Winter tends to play havoc with preseason tennis, but Lienhard had several indoor sessions to get the 'rust' off. "They've been hitting during the winter and we are excited to get out on the courts. With six returning letter winners, the team should be able to improve on last year's record," Lienhard said.HURTS/HELPS... The number of players participating in tennis are down at a number of programs across the region, and Jim Thorpe is no different. Because of that, Lienhard said one key will be for his team to remain healthy and avoid sickness. The good news for the Olympians is that the majority of players out for the squad are experienced varsity players.NOWHERE TO GO BUT UP... No coach wants to experience a winless season like the Olympians did a season ago. The good news is that Lienhard knows his team can only improve upon the mark they compiled a year ago. In the preseason training, the veteran coach likes what he sees and is excited for the beginning of the season.PLEASANT VALLEYVETERAN'S DAY... Bears' head coach Mark Allison begins his 26th season with the boys' program after finishing 7-10 one season ago. Allison is enthused about the crop of youth joining his roster this year.IN RECOVERY... Despite losing several important members of last year's squad to graduation, Allison does return two singles members from a year ago in junior Najja Francis and sophomore Jake Ammerman. Freshman Josh Schaffner in expected to round out the singles lineup.NO TROUBLES IN DOUBLES... Seniors Nicholas Vo, Tyler Fahrenkopf, and Antonio Carbone will work with junior Brian Kagel to form the top doubles teams for the Bears.WEATHER OR NOT... Like most coaches and teams, Winter Storm Stella has thrown a wrench into the early-season training for the Bears. Despite that lack of preparation, Allison remains confident in his players abilities to overcome and persevere. "The season will more than likely be delayed, so matches will be nearly every day once we get going," Allison said. "We need the practice time to get out there and play and improve as much as possible."