SETTING THE SCENE:  For the third time in as many years, Amanda Reinhart claimed a championship at the annual Greater Cincinnati Coaches Classic Tournament in first singles.  As the regular season winds down, the Eagles will have a busy week ahead that includes the Eastern Cincinnati Conference Tournament, as well as a home date to celebrate seniors Mallory Faler, Claire LaFrance, and Nicole Spencer.

A LOOK BACK:  Milford opened the week with a close and hard-fought loss to the ECC’s Kings, 3-2.  Amanda Reinhart swept Guerin of Kings, 6-0, 6-0, and at second singles, Mallory Faler defeated Wtiker 6-2, 6-2.  After falling behind 6-3 in the first, the new pairing of Emma Neal and sophomore Samantha Miller in second doubles nearly forced a third set with Gostel/Ernst of Kings, but fell 7-5.  Other matches included Muenchen over Milford’s Leah Breuer 6-2, 6-3 at third singles; and Emme Thomas/Nicole Spencer falling to Kaesemeyer/Reich 6-0, 6-0.

Milford lost to ECC Rival and #8 Loveland, 4-1.  Reinhart’s first singles victory was fairly easy as she defeated Geers of Loveland, 6-1, 6-1.  The Tigers were a tough opponent for the Eagles; Beller d. Faler 6-0, 6-0; Dakoske d. Breuer 6-0, 6-0; Huether/DeAtley d. Thomas/Spencer 6-2, 6-0; Villegas/McElveen d. Neal/Miller 6-0, 6-0. 

As has been the story for this Eagles team this season, Friday’s non-conference match with Cincinnati Country Day was close, but Country Day collected the 3-2 win.  Continuing to dominate this season, Reinhart posted the victory over Masterson 6-1, 6-0 in first singles, and Nicole Spencer won at third singles, defeating Isadora 7-5, 6-4.  Rounding out the remaining scores:  Johnson d. Faler 6-0, 6-3 in second singles; Wright/Zalants d. LaFrance/ Thomas 6-2, 6-1; and Mangu/Alsfelder d. Breuer/Neal 6-4, 6-0.

Sophomore Reinhart advanced straight through the bracket to take the Flight C first singles championship in the Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coaches Association Tournament.  The journey to the title began Thursday, when Reinhart dispatched Abunka of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, 6-1, 6-0 in the first round. Reinhart then took the win over Masterson of Cincinnati Country Day 6-2, 6-0 to advance to Saturday’s finals.  Facing Adams of Summit Country Day, Reinhart easily won 6-0, 6-1 to win the Flight C first singles championship.

Full results of Flight C for all Milford players will be posted as soon as available.

THE WEEK AHEAD:  Milford has a busy week ahead including the Eastern Cincinnati Conference tournament and Senior Night.  The week opens with a non-conference match at St. Ursula, last week’s #4 ranked team.   Milford hosts Oak Hills on Wednesday, when the team will celebrate and honor seniors Mallory Faler, Claire LaFrance, and Nicole Spencer. 

• Monday, 9/26:                  Milford @ St. Ursula Academy, 4:00 pm
• Tuesday, 9/27:                  Milford at ECC TOURNAMENT, Lunken Playfield Tennis Courts, 9:00 am
• Wednesday, 9/28:            Oak Hills High School @ Milford, 4:00 pm – SENIOR NIGHT
• Thursday, 9/29:                 Seton High School @ Milford, 4:00 pm 

INSIDE THE ECC:  Turpin, 6-0, 10-5 with just one non-conference match last week, remains in first place in the ECC.  Loveland held on to second, and improved to 5-1 with two ECC wins.  Walnut Hills (3-2) has a slim lead over Kings (3-3), and Anderson follows at 2-4.  Milford (1-5) is sixth; Glen Este (0-5) is fifth.

Reinhart improved to 6-0, 13-1 (not including the GCTCA results), maintained her hold on ECC players at first singles.  Faler remains in third place in second singles this week; at third singles, Spencer is again tied for fifth.  Claire LaFrance-Emme Thomas are fifth in first doubles, while Leah Breuer-Emma Neal are again among a number of doubles combinations who are 1-0 in conference play.

POLL WATCH:  Though Mason held their first place ranking in week seven, the programs in second through fifth all moved around in the Cincinnati Enquirer area coaches’ poll.  Once again, Sycamore and Ursuline traded places, as Ursuline Academy moved back to second and Sycamore fell again to third.  Mt. Notre Dame moved from fifth to fourth, St. Ursula moved up to fifth, and the ECC’s Turpin held onto sixth.  Loveland maintained their eighth place ranking, and Walnut Hills, previously tenth last week, moved up to ninth.  Milford did not receive any votes in week seven, but Kings entered the poll again with two votes.