CAPSULES

JIM THORPE

Head coach Norb Lienhard (15th season)

Assistant coaches Janet Farra

Last year's record 3-15 overall

League Independent

Classification AA

Key losses Victoria Schrader, Catherine Nonnemacher, Monica Camacho, Shaniqua Stackhouse

Key returnees Ellyn Tomko (Sr.), Anna Domingo (Sr.), Marissa Farra (Sr.), Alex Mosteller (Sr.), Katie Jones (Sr.), Laura Kohutka (Sr.), Kearsen Meckes (Sr.), Allison Poremba (Sr.), Salina Catalano (Sr.), Jackie Jackowski (Sr.)

Others to watch Gabby Kleine (Jr.), Carly Marzen (Jr.), Emily Jones (So.), Kasey Herman (So.)

Strengths Jim Thorpe has a lot of returning seniors and will be strong at the top of the order. Tomko, Domingo and Farra led the team last year as the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 singles players and they will all be back for their final season. Also, some of the other returning seniors have experience in doubles matches and will help throughout the season. The only thing left for Leinhard to do is decide on the pairings.

Weaknesses Consistency will be the question for the Lady Olympians. Leinhard wonders if his girls will be able to play the game at a high level day-in and day-out.

Quoteable "Of course, our goal is to improve on last year's record. We want to get some more wins up there. It looks promising because some of the other teams lost some of their singles players. So, it should be an advantage for us with all of our returning singles players." Head coach Norb Lienhard.

PLEASANT VALLEY

Head coach Mark Allison (15th season)

Assistant coaches Ralph Weichand

Last year's record 4-6 MVC

League Mountain Valley Conference

Classification AAA

Key losses Kelly Klapatch, Rachel Siegfried, Sarah Olah, Ali Harding, Emily Young, Meredith Thomas

Key returnees Emily Skutnik (Sr.), Nicole Reeder (Sr.), Sarah Elmontacir (So.), Kristen Cook (Jr.), Karli Williams (Jr.)

Strengths Practices have only just begun, but Allison likes the way his group has been working hard. The Bears will have two seniors leading the way, both of whom saw some action last season.

Weaknesses The Bears lost a number of key players from last year's team and will lack experience in some singles and doubles matches. Still, Allison expects his girls to get better as the season progresses.

Quoteable "We definitely want to challenege for the MVC title. That is our goal every year. Other than that, I would like to see improvement from match to match as the season gets going." Head coach Mark Allison.

TAMAQUA

Head coach Jennel Yelito (2nd season)

Assistant coaches Kyle Oliver

Last year's record 10-5 overall

League Independent

Classification AA

Key losses Kristina Zwolenik, Cassie Martin, Briana Rubright, Alexandra Kurek

Key returnees Vanessa Wagner (Sr.), Lauren Androkitis (Sr.), Jordan Nowacki (Sr.), Deana DeWire (Sr.)

Others to watch Sarah Zoba (Fr.), Laine Confer (So.), Taylor Urban (Jr.), Carly Fenstermacher (Fr.), Katrina Creveling (Jr.), Jomari Kieffer (Fr.), Emily Demyanovich (So.), Chelsea Hope

Strengths The Blue Raiders have a number of new girls that are interested in the sport and intend to get better at their game. Yelito hopes the ladies work hard in order to make themselves solid singles and doubles players on the varsity level.

Weaknesses The Blue Raiders have lost a number of key players to graduation, including reigning TIMES NEWS Player of the Year Kristina Zwolenik. The returnees and newcomers are taking the necessary steps to tackle the challenge of filling in the voids in the lineup.

Quoteable "This season the team's goal is to stay positive and improve their game on all levels." Head coach Jennel Yelito.

(Capsules compiled by Shawn McFarland, TJ Engle and Andy Steinmetz)