ADAMS TWP — The bar has been raised for the Mars boys tennis team.

Last year, the Planets finished second in the WPIAL and reached the state quarterfinals. With six players returning from that squad, the Planets are thinking big in 2014.

“We have high expectations,” said Planets’ coach Chris Knauff. “We have set a goal of winning the WPIAL. We have the talent to do it. It’s just a matter of remaining focused.”

Sophomore Josh Raymundo returns as Mars’ top singles player.

“He is extremely gifted,” said Knauff. “He’s an excellent server and his ground strokes are very aggressive. He has all the skills.”

The Planets’ other returning players include Aaron Gruber, Tim Hunt, Alex Gruber, Noah Hudac and Justin Simakas.

Following are preview capsules for the five Butler County area boys tennis teams.

ButlerCoach: Dave Hartzell, eighth yearLast year: The Golden Tornado finished below .500 and tied for sixth place in their section.Singles: 1-A.J. May (Sr.); 2-Henry May (Jr.); 3-Devin Fitz (So.)Doubles: 1-Cam Sedwick (So.) and Troy Bell (Jr.); 2-Ethan Turner (Sr.) and Brock Hinton (Fr.)In the mix: Tony Santilo (Jr.)Outlook: “No team in our section lost too much from last year,” Hartzell said. “We are better than last year and I’m pleased with the improvement.”

Grove CityCoach: Shawn Sowers, sixth yearLast year: The Eagles were 14-3 overall and placed second in their region.Singles: The top two spots are up for grabs between senior Evan Lowers and junior Chris Adams; 3-Steven Shi (Sr.)Doubles: 1-Andrew McCracken (Sr.) and Frank Bassani (Sr.); 2-Jed Grimm (Sr.) and Ryan Palmer (Sr.)In the mix: Tanner McKnight (So.)Outlook: “We lost the Region Player of the Year, Matt Welker, to graduation,” said Sowers. “Evan and Chris have big shoes to fill.”

KnochCoach: Steve Carney, first yearLast year: The Knights were well below .500.Singles: 1-Mark Sotomayor (So.); 2-Dan Carns (So.); 3-Troy Adams (So.)Doubles: 1-Austin Thomasmeyer (Sr.) and Robert Hawranko (So.); 2-Lucas Kunkel (Sr.) and Bob Larrimer (Sr.)In the mix: Ben Andrews (Jr.), Micah Keller (So.) and Phil Sarnese (Sr.)Outlook: “Getting to .500, that’s what we are shooting for,” said Carney.

MarsCoach: Chris Knauff, second yearLast year: The Planets placed second in their section, second in the WPIAL and reached the state quarterfinals.Singles: 1-Josh Raymundo (So.); 2-Aaron Gruber (So.); 3-Tim Hunt (Jr.), Noah Raymundo (Fr.) or Alex Gruber (So.)Doubles: 1-A combination of Tim Hunt (Jr.), Noah Raymundo (Fr.) or Alex Gruber (So.); 2-A combination of Noah Hudac (Jr.), Justin Simakas (So.), Kyle Nymberg (Jr.) and Drew Ellis (Fr.)Outlook: “The bar has been raised, but we compete in a very tough section,” said Knauff.

Seneca ValleyCoach: Eric Grove, 15th yearLast year: The Raiders were 11-7 overall and placed fourth in their section.Singles: 1-Patrick O’Connor (Jr.); 2-Eric Abbott (Jr.); 3-Michael Garczynski (Jr.)Doubles: 1-Alex Park (Jr.) and Sean Yanez (So.); 2-Corey Fetter (So.) and Alex Garczynski (Fr.)Outlook: “We are hoping to improve on last year’s record, but our section is very tough.”