Southwest Prairie Conference

Minooka

Key returners: Owen Joder, Hayden dela Cruz, Micah Nelson

Key newcomers: Weston Lorenz, Spencer Lorenz, T.J. Johannessen, Kevin Patel

Worth noting: Although the Indians are younger and less experienced this year, they are looking to compete for one of the top spots in the Southwest Prairie Conference.

Plainfield Central

2021 record: 8-10

Key returners: Sebastian Hernandez, Luke Hartzell, Austin Sanza, Justin deLeon

Key newcomer: Jeff Giertych

Worth noting: Hernandez placed third in the Southwest Prairie Conference at second singles last year. He will play first singles this year. ... With a team made up of mainly seniors, the Wildcats hope to contend to be in the top three teams of conference.

Plainfield North

2021 Record: 10-8

Key returners: Devin Briick, Aditya Simhadri, Brian Leigh, Adrian Songco

Key newcomers: Gavin Galias, Will Wojowski

Worth noting: Briick and Simhadri will transition from No. 1 doubles to No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively. The rest of the lineup is open and could change with the first few matches of the season.

Plainfield South

2021 record: 0-10

Key returners: Jedriel (Jed) Bondoc, Aiden Abshire

Worth noting: The Cougars had only five players last season. ... Besides Bondoc and Abshire, there are six new players on the team this year, and they are ready to see what they can do after a difficult 2021 season.

Romeoville

2021 record: 4-7

Key returners: Drew Gura, Alex Mendoza

Key newcomers: Josh Rizaldo, Alex Krupa, Anthony Vicens, Robert Fudala

Worth noting: Romeoville is bucking a recent trend of low turnout and has its largest program in recent memory with almost 30 players across both levels.

SouthWest Suburban Conference

Lincoln-Way Central

2021 record: 13-4

Key returners: Collin Bush, Tommy Belka, Zack Paris

Worth noting: Bush is the returning SWSC Blue Division singles champion and was 26-3 last year. ... Paris will play second singles, and Belka will be a part of the first doubles team. ... The Knights had 13 players graduate from last year’s team, so this wiill be a new lineup. They are looking for younger players to gain varsity experience as the season goes on.

Lincoln-Way East

2021 record: 15-7

Key returners: Manny Tsoukatos (state qualifier, 14-13 record in 2021), Tanner Leonard (state qualifier, 13-11 record in 2021), John Kenny (state qualifier, 18-10 record in 2021), Jack Forlenza, Casey Butler, Owen Christensen, Quentin Leak, Matt Schilke, Griffin Kostro, Grant Rafol

Key newcomers: Ryan Dell, Will Pangallo, Sam Cooley

Worth noting: The Griffins return seven of the starting 11 that won the SWSC Blue Division championship last year and boast three returning IHSA state qualifiers who won the sectional title last year. ... Lincoln-Way East won the Triad Duals Tournament in Edwardsville this season.

Lincoln-Way West

2021 record: 7-9

Key returners: Carter Fifer, Jacob Stermin, Milan Miskovic

Worth noting: Stermin and Miskovic qualified for state last season as a doubles team

Lockport

Key returners: Dovas Variakojis, Nick Costello, Nate Arient, Michal Kuderski. These players hope to earn their spot in the state tournament in doubles.

Key newcomers: Ashton Plebanek and Davy Markusic

Worth noting: The Porters saw state qualifying doubles team Douglas Blomquist and Peter Naylor graduate. Variakojis, Costello, Arient and Kuderski will be the two main doubles teams this year, with Plebanek and Markusic playing singles. ... Lockport would love to compete for a conference and sectional title but will keep its sights on making sure they develop skills and a love for the game.

East Suburban Catholic League

Joliet Catholic

2021 record: 6-6

Key returners: Spencer North, Alex Ferro, Xander Allgood, Andrew Ciarlette, Brandon Ferro

Key newcomers: Andy Munoz, Alejandro Espino, Ryan Streitz

Worth noting: The Hilltoppers have a lot of returning seniors with varsity experience from last year. With a couple of new faces, they are hoping to be one of the top teams in the area again.

South Suburban Conference

Lemont

2021 record: 11-6

Key returners: Shokhruhk Muradov, Sunny Rana, Aidan Fischer, Nathan Svoboda, Safin Saraiya, Rehan Saraiya

Key newcomers: Ethan Bator, Emory Vivian

Worth noting: Lemont has a wealth of experience returning. ... Muradov was 8-4 last year, while Rana was 13-6 and Fischer 12-2. The doubles team of Svoboda and Safi Saraiya was 16-4.

Illinois Central Eight

Coal City

2021 record: 8-4

Key returners: Tyler Jackson, Eli Rivera, Colin Hart, Mason Zolecki, Dylan Ludes

Key newcomers: Timi Shabani, Jacob Echevarria, Trey Buck

Worth noting: Jackson went 5-7 at first singles last season. ... The Coalers are excited about this year and are hoping to see improvement from the beginning of the season to the end.