SETTING THE SCENE: Head Coach Claire Smalley returns in 2016 to lead the MHS girls tennis program. A number of girls from the 2015 team return with varsity experience, and Smalley will be looking to build from a young team that was 2-16 overall and sixth in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference at 1-5.
Coach Smalley believes the varsity squad has grown and developed in the offseason, with four varsity players returning to provide leadership and a solid foundation for the newcomers. With a combination of experience and talent, look for an improved team headed into the ECC conference meet and postseason.
TEAM PREVIEW: A slew of familiar faces return to the 2016 varsity squad, led by junior Amanda Reinhart. Reinhart played to a top four finish at Sectionals to advance to the SWDAB Girls District Tennis Tournament, but was unable to advance after a second round loss. She received first singles honorable mention, Division I for the 2015 season from the Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coaches Association (GCTCA). Reinhart also claimed a second Coaches Classic first singles championship in 2015. The sophomore won the Flight C title at the tournament held at Anderson High School. Reinhart was 15-2 overall, 4-2 in ECC, and was named first team all-conference in singles for the second consecutive year.
A trio of seniors return to varsity action this season, and their experience will help guide the younger members of the team. Mallory Faler, Claire LaFrance and Nicole Spencer were important members of the team last season and all have experience in both singles and doubles play. Junior Leah Breuer and sophomore Olivia Bieber will be joining the squad, along with incoming freshman Emma Neal. Neal’s classmate Emme Thomas is expected to see some varsity playing time as well.
A LOOK AHEAD: The Eagles will head right into the season with conference match with Turpin, last year’s ECC conference champ. Originally scheduled for Tues., 8/16 at home, the match was postponed due to rain and has been rescheduled for Thurs, 8/18 at Turpin.
Thursday, 8/18: Milford @ Turpin HS, 4:00 pm