SETTING THE SCENE: With four of the last five matches heading to fifth sets, Milford is on the brink of breaking through as they head into the second half of the season. The Lady Eagles pushed all three of the games last week to five sets, and are on the verge of securing their first conference win in the coming week. One of the highlights last week was the team’s annual cancer fundraiser, Volley for the Cure, when the team raised money for breast cancer through donations and raffle baskets, split the pot and a bake sale in addition to the “Real Men Wear Pink” contest.
A LOOK BACK: In the first of three dates to go to five sets, the Milford girls lost to Walnut Hills of the ECC. Once again, Milford started with a first set win, 25-11, only to lose a close second set 22-25 and fall in the third 15-25. But the Lady Eagles showed their strength by evening the score with a fourth set victory, 25-21. Walnut Hills prevailed, however, by winning the tie breaking fifth set, 7-15.
Milford then headed to Kings for another exciting conference game. The Eagles again traded sets, winning the first 22-25 and falling in the second, 25-16. A third set 17-25 win by Milford then put the Eagles up 2-1. The Knights fought back however to win the fourth and fifth, 25-12 and 15-11.
The annual Volley for the Cure was held during the girls volleyball series with Little Miami. The Eagles started the day on a roll, taking the lead with wins in the first two sets, 17-25 and 15-25. Little Miami made the game interesting, fighting back to even the match at two apiece with 25-20 and 25-19 wins. In an exciting fifth set, Milford lost a heartbreaker to Little Miami, 16-14.
THE WEEK AHEAD: Milford will once again have the opportunity to move up in the conference standings this week, as they face conference schools Withrow and Anderson. Milford will also head to Springboro this week for a non-conference date.
- Tuesday, 9/20: Withrow High School @ Milford, 7:00 pm
- Thursday, 9/22: Milford @ Anderson High School, 7:00 pm
- Saturday, 9/24: Springboro High School @ Milford, 12:00 pm
INSIDE THE ECC: In what is sure to be somewhat of a surprise, Loveland (6-0, 9-2) has emerged as the conference leader over Turpin and Anderson (both 5-1) so far this season. Kings and Glen Este are both 3-3 in conference play, followed by Walnut Hills at 2-4. Milford, who barely fell to both Walnut Hills and Kings last week, sits at 2-10 overall and at 0-6 in the ECC. Withrow remains winless in the ECC as well.
Milford leaders in the EEC top 10:
- Serves: Lisa Sullivan (t-8)
- Assists: Abby Soutter (9), Abby Thierauf (10)
- Digs: Sullivan (6)
- Blocks: Erica Sharp (7)
POLL WATCH: Ursuline Academy, for the second week in a row, received the most votes in the Cincinnati Enquirer area coaches’ poll. Changes occurred in week five however, as Mason moved to second and Mt. Notre Dame rose to third. St. Ursula fell to fourth from second, while Mercy remained in fifth. Turpin of the ECC moved back up to sixth from eighth. After falling out of the top ten in week four, Loveland entered again and is currently eighth. Milford received one vote in week five, and other ECC program who received votes include Anderson (27), Glen Este (5), and Walnut Hills (1).