Familiarity with the stage helped the Mars boys tennis team advance to the Class AA semifinals Friday afternoon at the Hershey Racquet Club.

The Planets beat District 3 third-place finisher Lancaster Mennonite 4-1.

“The familiarity definitely helped,” Mars coach Chris Knauff said. “The courts were the same. Knowing where to go and not being surprised helped.”

Mars lost in the PIAA quarterfinals last year. Top singles player Josh Raymundo set the tone for the Planets, winning 6-1, 6-0.

“I thought Josh played a good match at No. 1 singles,” Knauff said. “He won 6-1, 6-0, but the kid he played against was a good player.”

Aaron Gruber won at No. 2 singles for Mars, while both of the Planets' doubles teams — Alex Gruber and Noah Raymundo along with Noah Hudac and Drew Ellis — also earned wins.

Mars 4, Lancaster Mennonite 1

Singles

1-Josh Raymundo (M) def. William Wanner 6-1, 6-1; 2-Aaron Gruber (M) def. Caleb Derstine 6-1, 6-1; 3-Juan David Gomez (L) def. Tim Hunt 6-4, 6-4

Doubles

1-Alex Gruber and Noah Raymundo (M) def. Seth Weaver and Lucas Jemison 6-3, 6-3; 2-Noah Hudac and Drew Ellis (M) def. Rudi Rigano and Ben Rittenhouse 6-1, 6-1