The common denominator in all sports is net results, and this year's Whitehall boys tennis team will look to increase their net gains with a strong, experienced roster heading into 2015.

The Zephs have improved every year under head coach Alex Berg. When he took over the program the team failed to get a victory, but every year since then he's made steady progress, as evidenced by last year's 3-12 record.

Last season the outside expectations had the Zephs near the bottom of the league, but the team displayed a lot of gumption on their way to their best year under Berg. It should be the same this season as 14 hungry players are ready to make some racket in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

"I'm excited about this year," said Berg who's entering his fourth year at the helm. "My goal is to get at .500. I really think we have the capability of doing that."

In the past, Berg teams often circled Whitehall as an easy victory. This year he wants to change that and prove to the kids that they shouldn't buy into that.

Once again they'll try to defy the odds as they'll look to begin a new season in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. That season was scheduled to get underway March 17, but Berg said their match against Pocono Mountain East was postponed since most of the outside facilities at the area schools are still dealing with snow as well as the run-off from the recent warm weather.

In fact, for the second year in a row, the team has been relegated to the parking lot as they prepare for the season. Replicating a tennis court presents a challenge and they've had to improvise, borrowing badminton nets to get a more natural environment. Last year Berg said they used a snow mound for the same purpose, and he's not sure which of those makeshift solutions offered a better result.

The inability to get to the courts has made determining a roster difficult this year. Berg said they haven't been able to get in challenge matches for seeding purposes, or to simply see where they stand from a competitive standpoint. That will lead to some roster shuffling once the season gets under way. Still, they have a strong foundation of experienced players who are poised to make this another year climbing the league ladder.

That foundation begins with a number of returning players led by last year's No. 1 singles player Islam Ahmed. Ahmed, a senior, will once again be in the No. 1 slot in 2015. Berg said that Ahmed has been playing for three seasons and brings a wealth of experience to the court.

The next two singles spots are yet to be determined with both junior Alexander Rohn and sophomore Gavin Meyers vying for the No. 2 singles position. Rohn was last year's No. 2 and still remains a strong candidate, while Meyers, last year's No. 3, has been preparing during the offseason, constantly trying to improve his game.

"He [Meyers] puts in a lot of effort," said Berg. "He works hard to improve."

Meyers went 5-9 in singles competition last year, while Rohn's season included a victory at the Lehigh Valley Conference playoffs.

Their doubles teams will be missing a piece from last season, and that will cause further juggling, according to Berg. Berg was hoping for some consistency this season, but their pairings may change as they look to fill that vacancy in their No. 2 Doubles team.

Manning the first doubles team will be Ahmed and Rohn. Both players are familiar with one another having been paired together last season. Berg said that familiarity will help them as they begin play for the first time in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

The No. 2 Doubles team is currently in flux. Max Nuscher, a junior, was slotted there last season along with Reno Honzo-Vassa, but the latter's departure will make for some juggling. That tandem took four sets from Emmaus' Kyle Jaeger and Sanket Naryanna at last year's district tournament.

Berg said that a number of players may fill that spot, including junior Hazem Abdelaal who has experience in that role.

Jordan Saliby and Daniel Herrera Acevedo are also in the mix. That duo occupied the No. 3 Doubles team for the Zephs, having previous success in that position.

"They just have great communication," said Berg, noting they pushed Emmaus to three games in their meeting last season. "They play well together, and it starts with that communication."

At No. 4 Doubles, Berg said that initially he will rotate people in and out, including some freshman who are poised to make an impact this season.

The Zephs will also feature some promising newcomers. Three freshman have the capability of playing significant roles this season. That trio includes Jeremy Lin, Alexia Anatalio and Eric Poon, all of whom are in the mix for that doubles slot.

Berg said that Poon and Lin have some experience having practiced last year. He also said that Lin displays good form, while Poon possesses good speed getting the ball over the net

Other candidates for one of those spots includes senior Toby Chan, as well as Rohit Gangupantulu, Ivan Kok, and Clement Mei.

Berg knows finding the right mix will take some time.

"I might have to break up my teams, but that should work itself out eventually," said Berg.

Berg said the begin of the season will be marked by some shuffling, seeing where players feel comfortable and where they have the best chemistry. But he knows once that's settled, their opponents will be the ones doing the running.