The Jim Thorpe and Pleasant Valley boys tennis teams will feature new coaches this season, as Emilio Mercado takes over at Jim Thorpe and Laura Ammermann leads the way at Pleasant Valley.

JIM THORPE

FIRST YEAR

… Emilio Mercado, who graduated from Jim Thorpe five years ago and played under longtime tennis coach Norb Lienhard, enters his first season in charge of the Olympians. “I’m very excited to return to the school where I learned how to play, which helped me become who I am today,” said Mercado. “Norb was great, and has inspired how I coach. Like him, I plan my drills out and cater to each boy when it comes to practice. I’m grateful to be able to teach the next generation, and everyone seems to be having a fun time.”

SEASONED YOUTH

… A year ago, Thorpe finished with a 1-14 record, having to forfeit one or two matches in each contest. The Olympians return three experienced players from that squad - Alex Plesniarski, Maxwell Priore and Ian Walck. Each of the trio saw action either at singles or doubles, and will find themselves anywhere in the lineup.

A CHALLENGE AHEAD

… Unfortunately for Mercado and the three players listed above, they are currently the only members on the roster. Because of that, Thorpe will once again suffer forfeits. Despite that, Mercado remains optimistic things will change down the road. “Over time, I am hopeful more boys will try out for the team,” said Mercado. “I plan on promoting when the season starts, posting to social media how we’re doing as a team, uploading videos of games, and maybe even practices, in hopes others will watch and get interested.”

LOOKING AHEAD

… “Despite being a small team, we possess immense personality and won’t let numbers affect our mindset,” said the Olympian’s first-year coach. “As the season approaches, we have been working on all aspects, with an emphasis on serves, so double-faulting stays to a minimum. Our aim is to approach each game with enthusiasm and smiles, and depart with pride.”

LEHIGHTON

HEAVY SHOES TO FILL

… Lehighton finished with a solid 11-4 record last season, but lost seven seniors to graduation. Among those who have moved on from the program include Daniel Hoppes, Luke Blauch, Edie Cordes, Lucas Schatz, Zane Smith, Owen Kovach and Trey Spring.

SEASONS TO REMEMBER

… The Indians have posted back-to-back winning seasons and are 21-7 over that time span. Lehighton also earned the No. 4 seed in the district rankings a year ago.

STRONG SIBLINGS

... The Cokrilja brothers - Bayto and Bekim - both competed in District 11 singles play and teamed up in doubles action, where they recorded an opening-round win. Both return to lead the Indians and hope to once again participate in the postseason. “These No. 1 and 2 singles players will be a force to be reckoned with,” said Lehighton fourth-year head coach Cody Schuler about Bayto and Bekim.

CAUGHT COACH’S EYE

… Senior Michael Bowman and junior Isaac Carpenter both have improved over the offseason, and could be key contributors this season.

OUTLOOK

… “I think that we are going to have a strong season this year,” Schuler said. “We have solid No. 1 and 2 players and have a growing team, adding 16 new athletes to our roster. Some of them are beginners looking to learn and enjoy the game.”

PALMERTON

GREAT START

… Head coach Jennifer Danzeisen and the Palmerton tennis team are off to a positive start for the 2024 season. The Bombers will look to build off a 6-6 overall record from last year, where they posted a 4-5 mark in the Colonial League. Palmerton has plenty of interest in the program, and will enjoy playing on a new surface at home matches. “We have 19 players and new courts,” said an excited Danzeisen, who enters her seventh year with the program. “Practices are going very well, and I love what I’m seeing. The kids are positive and looking forward to playing in matches.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS LEFT TO A MEMORY

… A year ago, Justin Sebelin and Riley Fallon represented the Bombers at both the District 11 singles and doubles tournaments. Sebelin also received the Colonial League Sportsmanship Award and the Times News Male Athlete of the Year Award for tennis. Sebelin, Fallon, and Tyler Hager, who together all made up the Bombers’ singles lineup last year, have all graduated.

BACK IN BLUE AND WHITE

… Junior Katie Heimbach, along with sophomores Anderson Garcia and Hadlee Lake, return for another season, and will look to lead by example.

KEEP AN EYE ON

… Seniors Colby Chadwick and Jared Reinhard have progressed through preseason practice and will look to step into new roles this season. Joining them, and already showing growth, is freshman Levi Johnson.

A DIFFERENT LOOK ON THE GAME

… “I am currently working on a lineup, and I have several athletes ready to put in the work to learn the game and improve their strokes,” Danzeisen stressed. “Attitude is everything, Respect is everything, Teamwork is everything. These kids have all three, and I’m looking forward to coaching them this season.”

PLEASANT VALLEY

STEPPING IN

… After several years of serving as an assistant coach for the Pleasant Valley boys’ tennis team, Laura Ammermann will be stepping in to serve as a first-year head coach for the Bears as Mark Allison has taken a leave of absence. Gail Urland will lend a helping hand as an assistant coach only a few months after serving with Ammermann as an assistant with the girls’ program last fall.

SEASONED LINEUP

… The Bears return much of the lineup from last year’s team, which finished with an overall mark of 7-9 and 6-9 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. Returning in singles play are junior Noah Dolan and senior Ben Keppel. Other upperclassmen who have been with the program for a few years include Chris Lanier, Roman Steuer, Aaron Rehrig, Jens Hansen and Damon McMurtry.

FRESHMAN PHENOM

… Freshman John Hargrave has already made an immediate impact on the tennis team, taking over the No. 1 singles spot. “He does have a tennis background, which will be beneficial to our season this year,” Ammermann said. “Hargrave is going to be the one to watch as he progresses. He is only a freshman, needs some experience on the (varsity) court, and will play a key role in PV’s lineup for the next four years.”

OTHERS TO WATCH

… New to the lineup this year are Logan Krock and Liam Angell. Both individuals started with the program last year as the Bears’ alternate No. 1 doubles.

STUCK INDOORS

… Mother Nature pushed workouts indoors for the majority of the preseason. But Ammermann feels her team is ready to take on the season. “PV players are excited and eager for the season to start. Unfortunately, the weather has not cooperated for two days of the first full week of practice,” Ammermann stated. “We have done what we could during inside gym time conditioning and swinging the racquet with drills as best we could. PV’s lineup may change slightly due to the competitive nature of the players and eagerness to move up the ranks. I am excited to see what the season will bring.”

GET WELL COACH ALLISON

… While the coach is at home looking to get better soon, his presence will be missed this season. “I definitely feel the loss of coach Allison as he has been my mentor for several years,” Ammermann said. “I will continue to seek his advice and expertise as the season progresses. He will surely be missed this season.”

- Capsules by TJ Engle