Less than ideal conditions. Who cares.

Unable to field a complete lineup. No problem.

Your top player loses. Not a big deal.

Rookie head coach Sam Lux and the Jim Thorpe tennis team aren’t looking for excuses, they just keep finding ways to win.

The Olympians edged Lehighton, 3-2, in non-league play on Friday, improving their record to 4-1 on the season.

“This was a nice win for us,” said Lux. “It was a tough day to play because of all the wind, but our kids did a nice job adjusting to it and finding ways to be successful.

“We only have six players on the team so we’ve had to forfeit No. 2 doubles all season. But even though we don’t have depth from a numbers perspective, I feel like we have great depth in our lineup. That was a key for us today.”

Jim Thorpe needed the depth against a Lehighton team that was making its season debut. That’s because the Indians’ Aaron Miller picked up a 6-1, 7-5 victory over the Olympians’ Connor Rodgers at No. 1 singles.

“Connor has been playing really well for us,” said Lux. “He had only lost once this season coming into today, but our other kids did a great job of picking him up.”

The Olympians got wins from Daniel Teets and Brendan McDermott at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively, and the team of Michael Carroll and Sam Sechrest cruised to a straight set victory at No. 1 doubles.

“Daniel (Teets) has been playing extremely well for us,” said Lux. “He’s undefeated on the season, and gives us an outstanding player at No. 2 singles. He’s a really tough kid to beat.

“I’m also really happy with our doubles team. Michael and Sam are working really well together. They are showing tremendous improvement every time they go out on the court. Today was probably the best they’ve played all season.”

The match boiled down to No. 3 singles where McDermott and Lehighton’s Luke Blauch waged a back and forth battle. With all the other matches complete and the team score tied at 2-2, McDermott grinded out a 6-4, 6-4 victory.

“Brendan was impressive today,” said Lux. “When you’re the only one left playing, it can be a lot of pressure. But he stayed calm, hit some great shots, and won some big points.”

While Lux had plenty of reasons to be pleased, so did Lehighton first-year coach Cody Shuler.

“I was definitely happy with our play today,” said Shuler. “This was our first match and it was played in some difficult, windy conditions.

“It was great to finally get out and get a match in, and we did some nice things that we can build on going forward. I liked what I saw from our kids.”

The play of Miller at No. 1 singles was particularly impressive.

“Aaron had a great first set, but then got challenged in the second set,” said Shuler. “I was really happy how he handled that challenge and found a way to pull out the victory.

“Playing No. 1 singles, you have to expect to see strong players in just about every match, so it’s important that you can bounce back when you lose a few points or games and still find a way to win - and that’s what Aaron did today.”

PLAYERS WANTED ... Lux said the Olympians are still trying to find a few tennis players in the school to fill out the lineup and prevent having to forfeit No. 2 doubles.

BUSY WEEK AHEAD ... Lehighton has played four less matches than Jim Thorpe, but that will begin to change next week when the Indians play on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

RETUNING HOME ... After being forced to practice on Palmerton’s courts and play all away matches the last few seasons, Lehighton has a home of its own again. The Indians are now practicing and playing home matches at the recently renovated Valley Royale tennis courts (formerly the Maple Tree Inn Tennis Club). Valley Royale is under the ownership and direction of former Indian tennis player Jenn Everett.

Jim Thorpe 3, Lehighton 2

SINGLES

Aaron Miller (L) defeated Connor Rodgers, 6-1, 7-5; Daniel Teets (JT) defeated Daniel Hoppes, 6-2, 6-1; Brendan McDermott (JT) defeated Luke Blauch, 6-4, 6-4.

DOUBLES

Michael Carroll/Samuel Seachrest (JT) defeated Kira Hregician/Hailey Hoffman, 6-2,6-0; Owen Kovach/Zane Smith (L) won by forfeit.