Doubles is a term associated with tennis, and for Whitehall boys tennis head coach Austin Berg the word has added significance.

When he took over the program three years ago, he only had eight players on the roster, barely able to field a team.

They didn't win a match all season, but he was determined to build a program and get Whitehall pointed in the right direction.

He has now doubled that enrollment as 16 players will make up the 2014 boys tennis team. Within those numbers are seven sophomores who were all integral parts of last year's squad.

While they only managed to win one match last year, Berg sees a team whose trajectory is loftier than a lob shot. They finished the year 1-4; however, he saw the underclassmen grow over the course of the season.

"They improved so drastically over last year," said Berg.

Last year's team featured 11 players and they return that whole group, and with it a strong nucleus on which to build. Berg said they were a dedicated group who strived to get better.

"Those eleven players showed dedication, and had the fire and will to win," said Berg.

He said that what prevented them from succeeding in more matches was their inability to win points. They could volley all game long at times, but they had trouble producing winners. That has led to a commitment to rectify that aspect of their game as they prepare for Lehigh Valley Conference action.

"Our focus is having consistency and producing winners," said Berg.

The Zephs will feature Islam Ahmed as their No. 1 singles player, the second year the junior has held the top slot. Berg said that Ahmed's strength is his serve, and that part of his game should improve even more as he has another year under his belt.

At No. 2 singles is junior Reno Honzo-Vassa. Berg said that Honzo-Vassa climbed into the second spot after spending last year as part of the No. 2 doubles team.

At No. 3 singles is Alexander Rohn. Rohn held the number two spot last season, but Berg said that each one in the top three are very close and could slide up and down as they look to refine and expand their games.

At the No. 1 doubles will be Ahmed and Honzo-Vassa, while No. 2 doubles will feature sophomore Max Nuscher and freshman Gavin Meyers. Berg said that Meyers should make an impact with his ability to hit his spots.

"Placement is his strength," said Berg. "He has a lot of potential."

Also playing doubles will be sophomore Daniel Herrera Acevedo and freshman Jordan Saliby, slotting at No. 3 for the Zephs.

Finally, rounding out their doubles entry will be the No. 4 team of Harshal Patel and sophomore Hazem Abdelaal.

Additionally, the Zephs will get solid help from senior Tejwant Gomanie, junior Toby Chan, sophomores Rohit Gangupantulu, Ivan Kok, Alec Kulp, Clement Mei and freshman Daniel Rodrigues.

The Zephs will now look to start their league ascendancy with that strong group of returnees along with a good stock of newcomers.

Since the courts have yet to relinquish winter's grip, the parking lot has been their makeshift practice facility until last Thursday. He said it was hard to gauge their service game in the parking lot, but that aspect of their game is now a bit more established once the nets are in play.

The tennis team is set to begin March 25 at William Allen High School. Berg has seen the roster bloom under his guidance and is now ready to see them take that next step.

"I'm extremely happy with how its grown," said Berg.