Some teams hope for success.

The Grove City boys tennis team has made it an annual tradition.

The Eagles will be vying for their 24th straight winning season this spring, and Lorraine Gilson has been there for it all.

The veteran coach is entering her 32nd season with GC and has a career record of 297-87.

The Eagles have won nine Tri-County titles in the past 17 years, including the last three.

"I'd say the biggest reason for our success is that we go to a racquet club this time of year and practice for two weeks," said Gilson. "You can't hardly practice outside at this time of year.

"We have a concession stand at the basketball games that helps to pay for the racquet club."

Gilson has high hopes for yet another winning campaign.

Her top singles player, senior Matt Kaiser, has a career record of 26-10.

Derek Fredrickson and Luke Spears, the Eagles' No. 1 doubles team that went 10-1 last year, will be back.

"We open up with Meadville on March 25," said Gilson. "That will be one of our toughest matches this year."

Preview capsules for the five area teams follow:

Butler

Coach: Dave Hartzell, third season

Last year's finish: The Golden Tornado placed fourth in Section 2-AAA

Singles: 1-Matt Slamecka (sophomore); 2-Evan Kowalski (sophomore); 3-Stefan Kemp (sophomore)

Doubles: 1-Andrew Sykes (junior)/Emil Kemp (sophomore); 2-Andrew Hazlett (senior)/Kemper May (sophomore)

Section opponents: Ambridge, North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Shaler, North Hills and Seneca Valley

Hartzell says: "We play in a tough section, but we should be competitive. We're hoping to be over .500."

Grove City

Coach: Lorraine Gilson, 32nd season

Last year's finish: The Eagles finished 12-2 overall, won the Tri-County Championship and placed third in District 10

Singles: 1-Matt Kaiser (senior); 2-Josiah Welker (junior); 3-Chris Chutz (sophomore)

Doubles: 1-Derek Fredrickson (senior)/Luke Spears (junior); 2-Drew Clausen (junior)/Brady Beech (freshman)

Region opponents: Hickory, Oil City, Titusville, Meadville, Rocky Grove, Kennedy Catholic, Greenville, Sharon and Franklin

Gilson says: "Matt Kaiser has been starting for three years now and our No. 1 doubles team is returning and was very strong last season."

Knoch

Coach: Tom Gammell, 11th season

Last year's finish: The Knights were 6-8 overall and 4-8 in section play

Singles: 1-Jake Rupert sophomore; 2-Joe Boros (junior); 3-Zach Tresatti (senior)

Doubles: 1-Aaron Ramsey (senior)/Tony Doyle (senior); 2-Lucas Walker (senior)/Cory Baker (senior)

Section opponents: Vincentian Academy, Sewickley Academy, Hampton, Hopewell, Mars and Quaker Valley

Gammell says: "I think we can compete for a playoff spot. Quaker Valley and Sewickley Academy are always good, but we've got a lot of seniors and they have a lot of experience."

Mars

Coaches: Bill Pettigrew and Chris Knauff

Last year's finish: The Planets placed fourth in the section

Singles: 1-Bill Welsh (senior); 2-Andy Knauff (junior); 3-Dan Kearney (sophomore)

Doubles: 1-Ian Welsh (junior)/Tim Gaw (junior); 2-Jake Miszuk (junior)/Brendan Blakeney (sophomore)

Section opponents: Vincentian Academy, Sewickley Academy, Hampton, Hopewell, Knoch and Quaker Valley

Knauff says: "We're hoping to make the playoffs. We return more of our starting lineup from last year than most teams in our section."

Seneca Valley

Coach: Eric Grove, seventh season

Last year's finish: The Raiders placed third in section 2-AAA and made the WPIAL team playoffs

Singles: 1-Ryan Zipf (senior); 2-Warren Shaw (junior); 3-Vinnie Posteraro (senior)

Doubles: 1-Michael Hess (junior)/Robert Klasmier (junior); 2-Stephen Hochberg (junior)/Ted Dischman (sophomore)

Section opponents: Ambridge, North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Shaler, North Hills and Butler

Grove says: "Honestly, we're always looking to finish at least third. (Pine-Richland and North Allegheny) are always tough and after that, it's between Butler, North Hills and us."