When the Whitehall boys tennis team eventually gets on the court this year, they’ll be looking to build off their record-setting season that was forged by a number of returning players.

With talent and experience on their side, the Zephyrs are poised to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference this season.

New head coach Guillermo Valera takes over a program that finished at 13-5 overall last year. They’re also coming off a season where they charted new territory, making historic runs in both the league and district tournaments.

Valera brings with him an extensive tennis background. The Argentinian has traveled the world, playing professionally, and has now transitioned from player to teacher. He said that from an early age he was dedicated to play tennis, and that desire earned him the No. 1 ranking in Argentina among junior players when he was 13-years-old.

That led him to various tournaments, eventually turning professional where he traveled to Europe to play in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour. He eventually left the ATP tour and began teaching which led to opening his own tennis academy that currently serves Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Valera said that he still teaches the game, making the sport his lifelong vocation.

“Pretty much my whole life was about tennis,” said Valera.

He said that a friend emailed him about the tennis vacancy at Whitehall, and he’ll now be tasked with maintaining the program’s upward trajectory that defined Austin Berg’s seven-year tenure.

Valera said that his interest was piqued and was interested in the challenge.

“I was curious about commanding a high school program,” said Valera.

Valera will be able to lean on a number of veterans as he learns the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference landscape. The Zephyrs will feature 10 players this season, all of whom have varsity experience, save one incoming freshman.

Leading that pack is senior Jeremy Lim who returns at No. 1 singles. Lim had 12 wins last season at the No. 1 spot, and he’s expected to pick right up where he left off.

Valera said that Lim’s a versatile player who has a wide variety of shot-making capabilities.

“He’s pretty much a complete player,” said Valera. “He’s consistent on all of his shots, [whether it’s] volleys, serves, ground strokes, lobs, he can do them all.”

Valera also said that Lim is extremely focused and very involved once he’s playing. That mental focus along with his shot-making ability makes him a consistent player at the top of their singles lineup.

Junior Nick Rohn moves up to the No. 2 slot this season. He’s another singles player with a wealth of experience, and his presence at No. 2 will bolster that one-two punch. Valera said that Rohn possesses a great serve, but cautions him about being careful about the pace.

“He needs to adjust the placement of his ball and try to get some spin on it,” said Valera.

Junior Nick Demjan will slide into the No. 3 singles spot this year. Demjan was a solid doubles player last year for the Zephyrs, and now he’ll look to solidify their singles lineup as they get ready for match play this week.

“He’s really consistent from the baseline,” said Valera.

With that as his strength, Valera said he’d like to see him transition to the net as well.

The Zephs also return a host of doubles players. At No. 1 doubles will be seniors Erik Poon and Edward Harrich. Both players have varsity experience, and Poon’s versatility in molding his game to fit with a number of playing styles, as witnessed by last season, should be a big plus for that duo.

The No. 2 doubles spot will be manned by Daniel Lim and Josh Mallory. Daniel Lim, a sophomore, and Mallory, a junior, are also returnees from last year, and that will give the Zephs another formidable pairing in their doubles matches.

Senior Gabriel Fonseca-Rodriguez and junior Stephen Swiezak will be their No. 3 duo. Once again, the Zephs have returning veterans who can help swing a match with their experience.

Sophomore Aidan Gilboy will be part of that doubles mix as well, as will newcomer Jhonangel Guzman, a freshman.

While that’s most likely their lineup for Thursday’s match against East Stroudsburg South, Valera said that those pairings are subject to change as players may get switched around. His main focus is to make sure everyone has the chance to play.

Bad weather has already forced two cancellations this week, so Thursday’s game is slated to be their inaugural EPC match for the 2018 season. With last year’s success, the Zephs won’t be sneaking up on anyone so opponents will be ready for a strong cast of tournament-tested vets.

Valera said that he wants his players to adapt to very situation on the court. They must feel the game at every turn.

“Tennis is learning to defend when you have to defend, and attack when you have the chance to attack,” said Valera. “You have to be consistent on both.”

He also stresses that players must be able to move on the court, transitioning from attack to defense with every shot.

With just a few weeks under his belt as the head coach, Valera said that he’s impressed with the maturity and dedication the players bring to the court.

“I’m really happy with this group of boys,” said Valera. “I have to be honest, this is a great group of kids. They’re very respectful to the coaching staff as well.”