The Emmaus High School boys tennis team is returning a talented group from last year’s team that finished 17-4 overall and 13-2 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, second-best in the conference and second in the District 11 3A Tournament, falling to conference and district champion, Liberty.

Defending District 11 Class 3A champ Chris Stone returns to the Emmaus line up this season, with senior Nick Stone, a district semifinalist last spring, also back this season.

Chris Stone also competed in the finals at the EPC Tournament, along with the doubles duo of Caleb Brashear and Aiden Kegley. Nick Stone won his No. 1 singles consolation match at EPCs.

Along with that quartet, Caleb Brown is also back in the singles lineup and Cole Stuchko, Sai Uppiretia, Quinn Durkin and Aarya Sevak make up the top three doubles teams, with Brashear and Kegley.

Robert Dragotta takes over the reigns of the boys program for the first time this season. He is also the girls coach at Emmaus. Dragotta knows he has a talented group back that can compete for conference and district titles.

“Every day we are trying to get better,” said Dragotta. “We are working on footwork, strokes, ball placement and the mental game. We have had some good weeks of practice especially learning how to play in windy conditions. Good teams take one point at a time and one match at a time. Every season is a journey and I am very positive about this season.”

The rest of the team that will be competing for spots in the lineup include Aba Diop, Noah Tintle, Krishna Nemani, Joe Brisgone, Nick Orlic, Zayan Siddiqui and two very promising freshmen, Ben Brooks and Adam Waddell.