With snow hitting the area last week, the Whitehall boys tennis team may have to slog through some snow drifts to get to the courts, but once they do, they should be positioned to have another successful season.

The sound of a ball hitting a racket is usually a harbinger of spring, but it seems winter has one last gasp before the flakes give way to the buds.

And despite a couple week’s of uncertainty, Whitehall has its top two singles players returning, as well as two doubles players who were part of a historic Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Doubles Tournament run last season.

Head coach Austin Berg also has a number of players at his disposal this season, creating a lot of options for him to see what combinations work best. This season 18 players will be on the squad.

“That’s a lot better than I expected,” said Berg who has grown the program’s numbers every year.

Jeremy Lim, a junior, will be back in the No. 1 singles position. Lim gained a lot of experience playing in that spot last year and Berg expects him to keep improving.

“I expect him to get a few more wins,” said Berg.

Lim, a lefty, will be paired against the best in the EPC, and Berg knows that he’ll encounter some rough patches along the way. Still, his ability to get to balls and play smart tennis should serve him well this season.

Senior Gavin Meyers will be playing No. 2 singles. Meyers had been the model of consistency during his career, maintaining a hold among the top three spots since his sophomore season.

At No. 3 will be Nicholas Rohn, a newcomer to the singles lineup. Berg said that Rohn has a dynamite serve and that should help him against his fellow EPC counterparts. Rohn, along with Max Nuscher who were last year’s No. 2 doubles team, made it all the way to the semifinals in the EPC tourney.

“He did a great job at doubles last season,” said Berg. “He has a powerful serve that can really work to his advantage.”

At No. 1 doubles will be Jeremy Lim and Rohn. Berg likes this combination because it pairs a strong serve with a consistent volleyer who possesses a good cross shot. He also believes they’ll be able to cover a large portion of the court since Lim is left-handed and Rohn is a righty.

The Zephyrs also return sophomore Nick Demjan who played No. 4 doubles last season. He’ll most likely be paired with newcomer Aidan Gilroy at No. 2 doubles.

Berg said that Gilroy is quick on the court. He’s also a player who can drive the ball well. Berg sees him as someone who can mature into a much better player.

Junior Erik Poon will be playing No. 3 doubles. Poon will be paired with freshman Daniel Lim. Poon has a lot of experience playing doubles and his savvy should benefit that pairing.

At No. 4 doubles will be the tandem of Trevor Giradi and Jeremy Snyder. Both players will be new to the lineup this season.

The Zephyrs will also feature Noah Zahradnik, Josh Mallory, Patrick Skinner, Tyler Ringenberger, Karl Martinez, Stephen Swiezak and Gabriel Fontanez.

Berg said that their depth this year gives him a lot of options so the various pairings among the doubles teams could change. The flexibility will allow him to maximize everyone’s skill set.

Berg really believes that Rohn is someone to watch this season, and his move to singles should provide the sophomore an opportunity to shine.

Berg sees their growth continuing after a summer playing some club tennis. Last season they finished 10-8 and made a historic trip to the District XI Boys Team Tennis Championship. He would like to make that trip again. He would also like to duplicate their success in the EPC tourney.

“I hope to get some EPC medals again,” said Berg. “I really think we can get a couple of wins in the tournament again.”