Local Sisters Boosting Area’s College Tennis

Since they were toddlers they had an interest in playing tennis, one of their dad’s passions.  Their father Greg Milano plans on coaching Beavercreek High Schools Boys Tennis Team this year, as well as working as an assistant coach for Wright State Women’s tennis.  He was a tennis star in his own right, and was a 7 time Greene County Mens Singles Tennis Champion and gained a 4 year scholarship for tennis at Wright State in 1979.

Today, his daughters, Wittenberg Senior Carli Milano and Wright State Sophomore Jillian Milano, look to wreak havoc on their college tennis opponents.  The sisters are Beavercreek, Ohio natives and both Carroll High School graduates.  They are also honor students who have thrived at the college level, allowing them not only athletic but academic scholarships awards as well.   Tennis season has just started  and you can find the Wittenberg Women’s Tennis Schedule HERE  and the Wright State Women’s Tennis Schedule HERE. 

The girls have tremendous family support, not only from their parents Fran and Greg (Wright State Alums), but grandparents Jerry and Joann who attend many matches as they approach their 90’s.

 

WHO ARE THESE TENNIS SISTERS?

Carli, the Wittenberg Tiger, is the school’s #1 Singles player, facing the best from each and every Division III college they play.  She has traveled as far away as Orlando, Florida for college tournament matches, and has pulled some stunning upsets.  Carli has definitely left her mark on the college tennis scene.   She was the conference player of the week Feb 19, 2018.  Carli was the one Wittenberg Tennis player who was highlighted on the All-North Coast Athletic Conference team this spring, earning honorable mention at the first singles position.  This is the second time Carli has earned an All-NCAC selection, claiming honorable mention honors in 2017.

Carli’s goals are to improve her win-loss record in her final year.  Known for her never say die attitude, her play is a lesson in perseverance, which allows her to outlast many foes.  The Wittenberg Women’s Tennis season is underway and the next match is Oct 6 vs Oberlin College.   After graduation, Carli is planning to pursue a school psychologist position.

 

Jillian, The Wright State Raider, had been playing tennis at the #5 singles position at the Division I level in her freshman year.  She came onto the team being ranked 137th in the nation in singles and 4th in the state of Ohio.  Jillian now travels across the region playing colleges in the Horizon League and beyond.  Her next test is Sept 28th when Wright State takes on Big 10 team Purdue.

Jillian, looks to move up in the ranks to the #3 or #4 position.    Last year she had a successful freshman season posting a 24-16 overall singles record, going 7-2 against Horizon League opponents.  She also had a 16-12 doubles record.  Although she has dealt with a couple of injuries, she has not slowed down or lost any of her aggressive play.  Known for her speed and smashing ground strokes, she was able to surprise and beat many opponents who were ranked well above her, and nationally known.   Jillian’s sophomore year promises more success.

 

Sister’s Teams Scheduled to Clash:
As fate would have it , Wittenberg is scheduled to face a favored Wright State womens tennis team on April 14th, 2019.  Although it is unlikely that the Milano sisters will play each other in singles, they may face each other in a set of doubles.  For mom, Fran Milano, this will be a weekend she will dread.  The nerves associated with her daughters playing each other is not something she enjoys.  The match will take place in Springboro at the South Regency Tennis Center, which is Wright State’s home court.

Whether they win or lose that inter-family match, Carli and Jillian will definitely boost the local college tennis scene this year.