The Seneca Valley boys tennis team is coming off a solid 9-8 campaign and veteran coach Eric Grove is hoping his squad can take another step forward in 2011.

Leading the way at the top singles spot is freshman Jonathan Perkins.

“I'm not sure there's an area (tennis) club that he doesn't play at,” said Grove. “He will be able to compete against any team's No. 1.”

The rest of the Raiders' projected starting lineup includes junior Troy Abbott at No. 2 singles and sophomore Mayank Parashar at No. 3.

The top doubles pair has sophomore Joe Shults teaming with junior Matt Hochberg, followed by freshmen Matthew Ruwe and Andrew Aluise.

“We scrimmaged Riverside on Thursday,” said Grove, who is starting his 11th season. “Matt and Andrew fell behind in the second doubles match, but came back and won. There's a ton of potential with those two. I'm excited about having them for four years.

“We had a successful season last year and we should be able to at least match that, if not do even better,” added Grove.

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

Butler

Coach: Dave Hartzell, sixth year

Last year: The Golden Tornado won the PIAA Class AAA title with an overall record of 22-1.

Projected singles: 1-Will Nesbitt (Jr.) or Zac McCafferty (Jr.); 2-Nesbitt or McCafferty; 3-A.J. May (Fr.)

Projected doubles: 1-Jon Condon (Sr.) and Eric May (Jr.); 2-David Bright (Jr.) and Nick Rocchi (Fr.)

In the mix: Skyler Bittner (Jr.), Martin Zanicky (So.) and Ethan Turner (Fr.)

Outlook: “Will and Zac are both playing very well,” said Hartzell. “For the rest of the team it's a rebuilding year, though we could still contend for a playoff spot.”

Grove City

Coach: Shawn Sowers, third year

Last year: The Eagles went 6-8

Projected singles: 1-Matthew Welker (So.); 2-Adam McCracken (Jr.) or Steven Hunter (Jr.); 3-McCracken or Hunter

Projected doubles: 1-Conner Smith (Jr.) and Dylan Motta (So.); 2-Frank Bassani (Fr.) and TBD

Outlook: “We have little experience back,” said Sowers. “There are no seniors on the team and we are just hoping to improve every match.”

Knoch

Coach: Ken Nieser, third year

Last year: The Knights just missed the playoffs.

Projected singles: 1-Jack Boros (Jr.); 2-Nick Pheiffer (Sr.); 3-Austin Thomasmeyer (Fr.)

Projected doubles: 1-Jordan Hill (Jr.) and Wes Moore (Jr.); 2-TBD

Outlook: “Jack and Nick are returning starters and both are solid players,” said Nieser. “We just want to have fun this year.”

Mars

Coaches: Bill Pettigrew and Chris Knauff

Last year: The Planets were fourth in their section

Projected lineup: The only definite is senior Max Kyrychenko at No. 1 singles.

In the mix: seniors Chad Hoey, Zack Hudac, Mac Clyde, Conner Clyde; juniors Ethan Gressang, Robbie Hansen; freshman Jesse Perfett

Outlook: “Max has matured physically and his confidence is up,” Knauff said. “Behind him, we are very inexperienced.”