The Liberty Hurricanes, reigning district boys’ team tennis champions, are ready to challenge the district again with most of its strength in singles, not to mention doubles pairs that are rising to the challenge of a repeat.

Senior Louis Gruber is returning to number one singles, and senior David Lynn is returning at number two singles. Former doubles player, Anthony Ronca, a junior, will play at number three singles.

Liberty coach Chris Conrad has already seen improvement in the Hurricanes’ singles play.

“Louis is very consistent. He has some crazy angles to his game. David’s ground strokes have improved, and his fire power is great,” Conrad said.

“Anthony took big strides with his top spin and the pace on his ball. When Anthony plays, you know it will always be a hard-fought battle. I expect whomever is playing at [our] number three to be the best third singles player in the district.”

Conrad is still trying to figure out the right doubles pairs for the new season. Those six doubles players are sophomore Shayan Farhad, who will see some playing time at three singles, sophomore Gavin Evans-Gartley, freshman Sid Tekamalla, junior Tyler Markovich, junior Matt Bilger, and sophomore Will Lotto.

“Shayan’s game is big and one of our strongest players outside of singles. He has grown a lot. I worked with him and Gavin a lot this summer,” said Conrad. “Others have taken big steps forward to be able to compete.”

In addition to twice-a-week voluntary practices in January and February, the Hurricanes recently competed in a three-way scrimmage with Allentown Central Catholic and District XI Class 2A team tennis finalist Conrad Weiser.

“I was very happy with what I saw, but we will have to do a lot of work at doubles because they haven’t played as much,” Conrad said. “Gavin and Sid lost to Conrad Weiser, 5-7, but they will probably be the strongest number two doubles team we will see.”

Liberty’s season opener will have been played against Whitehall at home on Mar. 9. The Hurricanes will then host Nazareth on Mar. 11 and Stroudsburg on Mar. 14.