The net results last week for the Whitehall boys tennis team were two more wins as they continue their ascendancy in the Lehigh Valley Conference.

With victories over Dieruff and Jim Thorpe High Schools, the Zephs have now won three matches this season. Pretty impressive by a group who were picked to finish last in the LVC by another area publication.

Head coach Austin Berg attributes their success to a number of factors. They're learning how to vary their shots; they're putting away more points, and they're overcoming adversity. All those factors have been buoyed by one overriding principle.

"I think with each win, they're gaining more confidence," said Berg.

Even in their losses, the boys have been making strides, taking games from their opponents. It's been a year in which they're building every time they step onto the court.

They won 7-0 against the Huskies. In that match, No. 1 singles Islam Ahmed defeated Eric Garcia 6-1, 6-1. No. 2 singles Alex Rohn matched that performance, downing Mario Solidoio, 6-1, 6-1. In No. 3 singles, Gavin Meyers defeated Ronaldo Lugo 6-2, 6-2.

The Zephs kept up the pressure in doubles as No. 2 team Reno Honzo-Vasso and Max Nuscher defeated J.J. Johnson and Devon Montas, 6-3, 6-2. In No. 3 doubles, Dan Herrera and Jordan Saliby bested Nick Melendez and Zach Shiffert 6-0, 6-0, while the No. 4 pairing of Hazam Abdelaal and Harshal Patel won by forfeit.

Finally, No. 1 singles tandem of Ahmen and Rohn won 8-3 in a pro set match.

Berg said they were efficient the entire match, capitalizing when they had the opportunities.

"My team was consistent; they were focused, and they knew what they had to do," said Berg.

Berg said the wind was a factor against the Huskies, but the Zephs were able to "power through the wind." He said that takes some knack to do that since it can alter the ball's flight, and his team was able to overcome the conditions.

In the match against Allentown Central Catholic, the Zephs lost 7-0. While they got blanked against the Vikings, they managed to win a number of games. In fact, every singles player, as well as the doubles teams, won at least one game. A few matches ventured into tiebreakers.

In that mix was Meyers who extended Jimmy Vaughn into a tiebreaker during their second match, eventually succumbing 7-6. That match finished 6-2, 7-6 in favor of Vaughn.

Also on the verge of taking a game were No. 2 doubles Nuscher and Saliby who gave David Romero and Craig Peoples a run for their money. They eventually lost 7-5, 6-2. Additionally, Herrera and Abdelaal pushed their opponents into a tiebreaker, but lost 6-2, 7-5.

That effort paved the way for a 7-0 win over Jim Thorpe. Berg said they played another good game as Ahmed got them going with a strong effort against Matt Miller, winning 6-3, 6-4. Rohn kept it up with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Brandon Huffman, while No. 3 Meyers won 6-2, 6-4 over Luke Eggert.

In doubles, No. 2 Honzo-Vasso and Herrera defeated Brett Luciani and Austin Faylor 7-5, 6-2, while the tandem of Abdelaal and Toby Chan won in a pro set, 8-1. Additionally, Rohit Gangapantulu and Patel downed Shawn DiCastanzo and Mike Huntzberry 8-1 in their pro set.

Finally, the No. 3 pairing of Nuscher and Saliby defeated John Lowin and Luke Carter 6-1, 6-4.

Berg said he tinkered with his doubles teams for that match, pairing Nuscher and Saliby together because of their ability to complement one another. He said he saw how Saliby's lob forced their opponent to go deep to the baseline to retrieve it. That "excellent lob," when returned, was met by Nuscher's racket who promptly smashed it back over the net, sometimes even over the fence for the point. Berg said Nuscher has the ability to get the ball down and is aggressive when opportunity strikes.

"He really attacks the net," said Berg.

The two have fed off one another, communicating with each other so they can be in position when the ball comes into play, said Berg.