When he took over as Whitehall’s new head softball coach, Jeff Vivian didn’t have to make much of an adjustment. He had served as an assistant coach for the past five seasons under former head coach Blake Morgan.

Familiarity with the program was an afterthought, as Vivian had a daughter on the team who recently graduated and also has had close ties over the past 10 years.

He treasured the fact that his first game action was in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where the Zephyrs had two scrimmages and a game that they won over a five-day period at the Cal Ripken Experience.

“It was a great opportunity to bring the girls together to bond,” said Vivian. “They helped pull each other through it. It was very interesting to see some teams from New Jersey and New York.

“They don’t always have a lot of time to share their personal experiences. For a coach, it’s immeasurable. You can see them in different ways, seeing how they can grasp the mental aspect of it, and how they process things outside the game.

“It should have been a huge bonding experience for us.”

The Zephyrs did lose a solid core that produced an overall 21-5 mark and a runner-up spot to Northampton in the District 11 Class 6A title tilt last season.

Madi Cunningham won 16 games on the mound, and she is twirling for Moravian College these days. Aubrey Vivian, the coach’s daughter, was among the electric group of Cunningham, Lindsey Gawrys, and Meghan Hutter, who all provided a major spark the past few seasons.

Senior outfielder Mackenzie Laub was an East Penn Conference (EPC) all-star last season, and she hit .348 from the cleanup spot.

Fellow seniors Maddy Lasko behind the plate, Jess Spanitz at shortstop, and junior Kate Yadush at DH and third base bring plenty of experience back in the fold.

Senior Lennon Dreisbach is the early frontrunner to replace Cunningham on the mound.

“We’ll return four starters,” said Vivian. “We have a lot of juniors and sophomores. But we have a lot of big innings to replace, but we like the girls that are back with experience.”

Vivian is confident his southern trip can be a springboard for his familiar ECP opponents in the north. The Zephyrs open with Allentown Central Catholic, Easton, and Emmaus this week.

“It was a good gauge for us for what we’ll face here,” he stated. “The coaching staff and myself took a lot of notes, and we can apply it in practices and games.

“We are now able to get an early look at some of our strengths and weaknesses, and build from there.”

Vivian has 29 girls combined in the varsity and JV programs, and he is anxious to see his team develop. He expects his team to be back in the EPC hunt.

“The girls are pretty excited, and they are working hard,” he said. “It will be fun to watch them come together as a team. These girls are a tight group on and off the field, and they can have the potential to make a good run.”