As the weather starts to break and the winter sports begin to wrap up their seasons, Hammonton High School, as well as all other schools, make the transition and start preparing for the spring sports.

Hammonton is usually a very strong contender in baseball, softball and track, but recent buzz indicates the Blue Devils will also have one of the best tennis teams in South Jersey this year. Expectations among players are unusually high.

Pete Lancetta, captain of the team, is ready for a strong season.

“I am excited for this season and we have the chance to be Hammonton’s first state championship tennis team,” he said.

The team has been practicing since March 1st but many of the players have been getting a lot of their work in during the off season.

The team is currently in the middle of doing their challenge matches which means that the players are fighting for their spots in the line-up. In a varsity match they will play three singles matches and 2 doubles matches. Whichever school wins 3 of the 5 wins the match.

Lancetta is in the running to win 25 matches to be the first person in school history to win 100 matches.

Senior Mike Seligman is not far behind Lancetta but will be unable to hit 100 wins. However, he is thrilled the season is finally here.

“The season is finally here and I expect this to be my best year of tennis,” Seligman explained.

Sophomore Evan Barnett, a newer player on the team, anticipates a strong individual and team season. about the season, saying, “I just want to get on the varsity roster this year and be apart of a great team.”