Coach Vin Romeo describes his team as “a blend of experienced and younger players.” And youth will likely be the rule, not the exception, for the Rams moving forward.
“Three more young players are waiting to move up from eighth grade to varsity next year,” Romeo said.
Oakwood and Milton-Union round out the top three D-II teams in this week’s poll.
In Division I, Centerville remains atop the local standings with a 13-4 record. The Elks, ranked No. 10 in the state, are 4-0 in the Greater Western Ohio Conference with perfect records at all five positions.
Elks singles players Josh Giambattista, Neil Dey and Connor Poe, along with the doubles teams of Tanner Daskalakis/Guy Kaskocsak and Zack Holbrook/Brandon Valley are all 4-0 in conference play.
Springboro is second in the MVTCA poll with Butler, Troy and Beavercreek in a three-way tie for third.
Season to remember: While tennis success is nothing new for a GWOC powerhouse like Centerville, it's rarely a given at Trotwood-Madison — until now.
The Rams, led by senior first singles player Hank Grinner (15-3), are 15-4 overall and 3-1 in the GWOC North Conference. It’s a far cry from recent years when the Rams finished most seasons at about .500.
With a win against Butler this week, Trotwood earns a share of the GWOC North crown, something veteran coach Joe Haupt has never experienced in his three decades of coaching.
“This is a special year for us, it is one of the deepest teams I have ever coached,” Haupt said. “We aren’t thin anywhere.”
Haupt expects his Rams to finish with a winning record at all five positions.
Experience has paid off as four of seven starters are seniors with Mario Rodgers, Joel Kelty, Jordan Adams and Grinner. Work ethic has been the other major component to the Rams success.
“We are successful because these guys are committed,” Haupt said. “They are practicing in the offseason and committed to getting better.”
Bulldogs prevail: Led by senior Matt Brumbaugh and his championship finish at first singles, Milton-Union squeaked out a one-point win in the MVTCA Coaches' Cup on April 25. Milton-Union finished with 35 points while Butler and Chaminade Julienne tallied 34 points.
Butler’s Nico Manni and Beavercreek’s Matt Ha claimed championship titles at second and third singles, respectively.
Next up: The postseason is quickly approaching with the sectional tournament draw being held today.
The GWOC Conference tournament gets underway Thursday at Centerville for the Gold bracket — the top eight teams in the division — and Friday at Troy for the 10 Silver bracket teams.
Top-ranked Miami Valley will face two of its biggest matches this week with second-ranked Oakwood on Monday and No. 4 CJ on Wednesday.
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