Things are looking up for the Jim Thorpe tennis program this season. The Olympians have already surpassed their win total from a year ago just three matches into the season.

Meanwhile, Pleasant Valley and Tamaqua are looking to rebuild after some key graduation losses.JIM THORPEMOVING ON UP…After finishing with a 2-12 record from a season ago, the Lady Olympians return plenty of experience and expect to definitely improve upon that mark. Senior Brittney Marzen and classmate Marni Quevedo both return after a season of singles' experience. Senior Caitlin Holt and sophomore Leanne Van Essendelf rejoin the lineup after a year of doubles.FILLING TENNIS SHOES…Graduation made its presence felt in the roster as Hope Damian (singles), Autumn Holt (doubles) and Emily Layden (doubles) have all moved on.PLENTY OF NEW FACES…Head coach Norb Lienhard is enjoying an outstanding turnout for the program this year as 10 new student-athletes are out for the team. Juniors Trisanna Samuels and sister Triselle, sophomores Angelica Uzar, Michelle Raytsis, and Rayna Carr, along with freshmen Kaitlyn O'Neil, Chloe Getz, Christina Thieling, Evelyn Flores, and Julienne Pheiffer look to make their mark.RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB…With Lienhard beginning his 21st season at the helm, he is hoping to combine his experienced players with some novice players and turn it into something great. Assistant coach Janet Farra's eighth season allows for plenty of help toward the same goal.TAMAQUATHE DEPARTED…Last year marked the departure of six seniors from the Lady Raiders' tennis program (Amy Gardiner, Arienne Serniak, Allison Pedersen, Madison Davis, Emma Osenbach, and Jazmin Mena), along with coach Jennel Swenson. The mass exodus leaves first-year coach Jessica Mazaika to take over the reins.AGENDA IN ORDER…The first order of business for Mazaika is to build up the program from square one as she hopes to increase the numbers. The current the Tamaqua roster lists only four girls. The good news is that three players can play singles matches and two pairs of them are able to team up for doubles points as well, meaning that the Raiders wouldn't have to forfeit any points playing the most common (three singles, two doubles) format used on the high school level.THAT'S THE SPIRIT!...With the backing of the school, the administration and the surrounding community, coach Mazaika and the four players (sophomores Brooke Williams, Alexis Breiner and Jun Linn Pham, along with senior Keyla Saez) are facing the challenges with positivity."I'm excited to work with individuals with that kind of heart for something they love," Mazaika said. "Together we'll rebuild our tennis team numbers and try our best to finish the season strong."IT TAKES A TEAM…Along with Athletic Director, Mike Hromyak, former Tamaqua coach Jim Dean, and Dr. Kile Sherry, the support for rebuilding the Lady Raiders' tennis program has been full of support and positivity."Being new to the coaching field, it has been quite a whirlwind so far," Mazaika said. "I'm very driven to learn from other coaches, the team, and the community, and the girls have shown up to practice with determination and smiles on their faces. They have also proven their love of the sport."PLEASANT VALLEYBYE BYE BEARS…Head coach Mark Allison is hoping that graduation's effects don't hinder his team's hopes for success too much. Five players from last year's squad - Devin Kagel, Eilyna Baker, Abby Ertle, Astrid Sierra and Alex Steinmetz - all graduated.NOW IT'S YOUR TURN…With the departure of graduated seniors, voids arise, giving opportunity to other underclassmen to shine. Junior Masani Francis and senior Haley White return to the lineup after a year of success in singles play while seniors Kylie Steever, Nicole Moore, and juniors Kamryn Scrivens and Kalleigh West return with experience in doubles.PRACTICE LIKE YOU PLAY…In the early going, coach Allison likes what he sees from his team as their practice work ethic has shown plenty of promise."This is a great group to work with and they have been working exceptionally hard in practices so far," Allison said.BEAR NECESSITIES…With first-year varsity starters in several key positions, Allison thinks the 2016 Bears will be a team that sees huge progress over the course of the season."There's plenty of inexperience, and especially in the doubles positions. So, we're hoping to keep up the level of hard work in hopes that we can all improve with each passing day," Allison said.GOOD GENES... The Bears' Haley White is the sister of former PV boys tennis star Jon White, who is now playing at Wilkes University. Jon was a two-time District 11 Class AAA doubles finalist and a PIAA State Tournament qualifier in doubles as a junior.