Who steps up to fill the void? Who climbs into that leadership role? How long will it take for the new dynamic to gel together?
Those are some of the main questions each coach has to deal with in the early part of the new year.
Then, there's Raphael Cooper, head coach for Wyoming Seminary's tennis program.
He's got a bigger dilemma to address. How do you fill the shoes of one of the greatest players to ever play in Pennsylvania?
That's the journey he and the Blue Knights embark on as the team begins its first season without Ilana Rosenthal, the three-time PIAA Class 2A champion, who is now a freshman at the University of Connecticut.
"It's something you knew at the end of last year, and now, it's actually that time. It's not so much strange as it is reality," Cooper said. "It was a complete era, and now, a new one begins. I am lucky to have gone through it with Ilana and her family, and now, see another era through with Wyoming Seminary.
"When we won a state championship in 2021, it was Ilana's first year and how good she was was actually unknown. We had to be a complete team back then, and when we were in competition, we picked up wins in different areas -- such as first and second doubles -- just to survive. That being said, we are going to have to be a complete team now. We are going to have to value the points we pick up in every area and truly embrace the team approach to succeed just in our division and district. There are many teams who now know she is gone and a window of opportunity is there for them. That is something that we should take personally. We have ability; now it's time to show our heart."
You can't replace Rosenthal. She was the fourth three-time state champ in Pennsylvania history, and the first player in District 2 history to win three golds.
Her career record? An amazing, 85-2.
More than the play was her presence. She was a leader, pulling the younger girls aside and helping them navigate through the rigors of a match.
"She was great," said senior Addison Priebe, who is expected to play No. 1 singles this season. "Right before matches, it was perfect because you would get the best gameplay. It was great to have the opportunity to warm up and hit against the best player in the state before the matches. Because she was older than us, especially with Elisabeth (Moules) and I, she would talk us through matches and offer us a level state of mind."
Now, it's Priebe's opportunity to set foot on the courts as one of the Blue Knights' top singles players and co-captain.
It's not a new spot, though, as the senior had the chance to play at No. 1 singles last year when Rosenthal wasn't in the lineup.
"I was so grateful to Mr. (Dan) Cruz and Coach Cooper because they let me play up, which was a great experience," said Priebe, a Citizens' Voice all-star last year after finishing the regular season with just one loss. "I think they were able to see what I was going to be able to do under the pressure of playing No. 1. I'm not going to lie. It is intimidating because you are playing the best player from every school. You are always playing the best. It's scary at times, but already having that experience from last year, it's going to ease me into this year."
Cooper agreed with Priebe's assessment, admitting that getting his senior some matches at No. 1 last year was going to pay its dividends down the line.
Dividends that he's hoping leads to a good run through WVC and District 2 Class 2A play.
"Look, the game is still the same, and as I always teach, one point is one point. If Ilana could have won us five points every match, we would be state champs four years but that's not the case. It's still a team sport, which I love, and everyone is worth a point," Cooper said. "We still have to play three singles and we still have to play doubles. We have to teach these kids and coach them. That's why we are in this sport and profession. I love it. We will have to go out, compete, and we will have to strategize and get better in all aspects of the game. Many of our girls have been there three years, and now, it's their turn to earn it. That will be the challenge and question this year."
A challenge, no doubt, with an always-tough Class 2A race that will feature an experienced and talented Scranton Prep team waiting in the wings.
And for Priebe, it's a tough road through districts as Prep has two solid singles' players in Lily Lengyel and Emma Cuck, while Montrose might have the top player in the entire district in junior Cara Evans - who lost in the district final to Rosenthal in straight sets in each of her first two seasons.
"I always just tell myself that as long as I feel like I played my best, that's what means the most to me at the end of the day," Priebe said. "If I am hitting good, consistent groundstrokes, my serves are going in, and I'm just performing the basics at a high level, that's my goal."
Dallas: Keep an eye on the Mountaineers in the Back Mountain. Dallas always finds a way to string together strong doubles play, and has a good one-two punch with Catlin Finn and Mahi Dhol at the top of the singles' lineup.
Wyoming Area: One year after climbing toward the top of the WVC, the Warriors might have enough to push for a league title. The Warriors return all three singles players: Emma Kratz, Molly Kratz and Sarah Willison. Emma Kratz was an all-Voice selection at No. 1 singles one year ago.
Wyoming Seminary: Until someone knocks off Seminary, the Blue Knights will remain the favorite to win a WVC title. The team does return a good amount from last year's league champion, and has good leadership from co-captains Addison Priebe and Elisabeth Moules
Catlin Finn, Dallas: The junior is primed to be one of the top players in the WVC. She was 6-3 last year playing at No. 1 singles as a sophomore. Keep an eye on her throughout the year.
Ava Genetti, MMI Prep: After going undefeated at No. 2 singles for the last two years, it's anticipated that Genetti will move to the top spot after Kendall Orozco has graduated. Genetti was 14-0 last year.
Sarah Willison, Wyoming Area: Willison, a senior, played at No. 3 singles last year and went 12-1 as a junior. She'll enter the season as either the Warriors' No. 2 or No. 3 player. She's going to be a tough matchup in either of those two positions.
Addison Priebe, Wyoming Seminary: Priebe got some matches at No. 1 singles last season when Ilana Rosenthal wasn't available. The senior is also primed to be one of the top singles' players in 2025 after earning a No. 7 seed at districts one year ago -- finishing the regular season with one loss.