JIM THORPE

Head coach - Norb Lienhard (18th season)Assistant coaches - Janet Farra (fifth season)Last year's record - 3-12 overallClassification - AAKey losses - Kasey Herman (No. 1 Singles), Ashley Balliet (No. 2 Doubles),Key returnees - Gabbie Binder (Jr., No. 1 Singles), Bryann Kehrli (Sr., No. 2 Singles), Haley Cope (Sr., No. 3 Singles), Maria Donati (Sr., No. 1 Doubles), Minke Pheiffer (Sr., No. 1 Doubles)Others to watch - Hope Damian (So., No. 2 Doubles), Rudy Jackson (Sr., No. 2 Doubles), Emily Layden (So., No. 2 Doubles), Thirzita Buell (No. 2 Doubles).Outlook - The Olympians are a senior-laden team this season, and Lienhard feels that can be a good thing in terms of experience returning to the varsity lineup. However, it can also be a bad thing, in that he will be taking a hit in the team's depth next season. The Lady Olympians are looking to be more consistent on the courts this season by avoiding unforced errors and doing their best to keep the ball in play. This will be necessary in order to win more points, games and matches. Lienhard plans to focus a lot on his players' serving, in hopes of getting some free points, once the season starts.Quotable - "Once again, a lot of the girls came out to my camp in July, and a lot of times, we had more than six girls there, which is nice. So, I think they did more hitting around during the summer session than they had in the past, which will hopefully translate into more wins this season." - Jim Thorpe head tennis coach, Norb Linehard.PLEASANT VALLEYHead coach - Mark Allison (19th season)Assistant coaches - Ralph Weichand (eighth season)Last year's record - 7-10 overall, 6-4 MVCLeague - Mountain Valley ConferenceClassification - AAAKey losses - NoneKey returnees - Madison Olexson (Jr., No. 1 Singles), Kara Urland (Jr., Singles), Emily Thek (Sr., Singles), Sarina Tufano (Sr., No. 2 Doubles), Mackenzie Caffrey (Sr., No. 2 Doubles)Others to watch - Paola Mieles (Jr., Doubles), Andrea Nale (Sr., Doubles)Outlook - According to Allison, the Lady Bears are working really hard and are a very enthusiastic group. There is a good mix of experience, along with some young talent, and the experience will hopefully be a positive influence on those young members of the team. Allison knows that his squad is not starting from scratch, and hopes that the experience in singles will help win some matches for the blue and white this year.Quotable - "We want to improve on ourselves from last year and continue to work really hard. I think we will compete very well with the other teams in the MVC, and hopefully the teams outside of the league on our schedule, as well. There are plenty of tough teams, but I think we can compete well." - Pleasant Valley head tennis coach, Mark Allison.TAMAQUAHead coach - Jennel Yelito (5th season)Assistant coaches - noneLast year's record - 8-9 overallClassification - AAKey losses - Nicole Mateyak, Vicky Krouse, Morgan Miller, Laine ConferKey returnees - Sarah Zoba (Sr., Singles), Madelyn Dodinsky (Jr., Singles), Carly Fenstermacher (Sr., Singles)Others to watch - Beth Kistler (Jr., Doubles)Outlook - Losing seven seniors, due to graduation, isn't an easy task for a team to face the ensuing year. However, that is the situation presented to the Lady Raiders in 2013. Coach Yelito sees a positive in that plenty of positions have opened up and should cause for a healthy amount of inter-squad competition to earn those varsity spots on the team. There are 14 players on the roster this season, as opposed to last year's 20, and Yelito is excited about that fact, in that she will be able to afford more time to each and every player throughout the lineup.Quotable - "We're hoping to be more competitive this year with all of the teams on our schedule. We are going to need to continue to improve as each day passes in the season, and especially in doubles. We're young in the doubles department, but those matches are just as important to the team's success as the singles matches are, so we'll need to concentrate on developing those players." - Tamaqua head tennis coach, Jennel Yelito.