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Every August for the past three years, two of the top girls’ tennis programs have participated in a friendly scrimmage just prior to the regular season. Those two programs, Mount Notre Dame and Lakota West, took in that practice Friday at the high school located in West Chester Township.

“My expectation is that we will continue to compete at the top like we have the last few years,” Lakota West head coach Bryan Skoog said. “In terms on how we will finish, will probably come down to those matches against top teams.”

Skoog’s Firebirds were practicing against one of the area’s top teams and top players in 2010 singles state champion junior Sandy Niehaus. In addition to Niehaus, who was named the Girls’ Greater Cincinnati League Scarlet Girls’ Tennis Athlete of the Year in 2010, MND also returns senior Brooke Dennis (GGCL First Team in ’10) and junior Sydney Landers (GGCL Second Team in 2010).

>>>PHOTOS OF LAKOTA WEST VS. MND SCRIMMAGE TENNIS MATCH<<<

“With great leadership through experience and other players’ performances in the offseason, we have a good chance to compete in the GGCL,” said MND head coach Judy Dennis, whose team finished in third place in the GGCL last season.

Lakota West, which finished in second place in the Greater Miami Conference last fall, also returns its top players in sophomore Brooke Broda (GMC First Team in ’10), junior Nicole Souter (GMC Second Team in ’10) and sophomore Madison Capovilla (GMC Second in ’10). Broda actually defeated Neihaus during the regular season in 2010. She also finished the year with a 28-3 overall record and competed in the singles state tournament.

>>>2011 LAKOTA WEST GIRLS’ TENNIS SCHEDULE<<<

“Whenever you return with the top of your lineup, you can’t help to be excited,” Skoog said.

Skoog is not only expecting a lot from his returning players, he is also excited about his newcomers, who include freshman Sharon Danquah, freshman Lindsey Shafner, sophomore Katie Dunlap and sophomore Danielle Clarke.

Danquah (photo – click to enlarge) is expected to compete for playing time at singles for the Firebirds, while Shafner, Dunlap and Clarke will play doubles. Playing alongside the newcomers on the doubles courts will be senior and team leader Kat Rivers.

Lakota West will begin its season Wednesday at Ursuline. The Firebirds are scheduled to host Mount Notre Dame Sept. 7.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Brooke Broda, Brooke Dennis, Bryan Skoog, Danielle Clarke, Judy Dennis, Kat Rivers, Katie Dunlap, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lakota West tennis, Lindse Shafner, live sports photos, Madison Capovilla, MND, Mount Notre Dame, Mount Notre Dame tennis, photo gallery, photos, Sandy Niehaus, Sharon Danquah, Sydney Landers, West Chester photos

The first day of the Greater Miami Conference Tennis Tournament ended with the No. 1 and No. 2 singles brackets showing a Lakota East player against a Lakota West player in Saturday’s final.

Lakota East No. 1 singles player Carolyn Pitman (senior) cruised through her first two matches, as did Lakota West No. 1 singles player Brooke Broda (freshman), meaning the two players will meet in the GMC final. Earlier this month, Pitman defeated Broda 6-1, 6-4. However, last weekend in the Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coaches Association Tournament final, Broda defeated Pitman 6-2, 6-4.

In the No. 2 singles bracket, Lakota East sophomore Taylor Holden (photo) and Lakota West sophomore Nicole Soutar (photo) find themselves in the final after winning their two matches on Day 1. Holden and Soutar have not faced each other this season. In the Lakota East vs. West matchup earlier this month, Soutar was moved to the No. 1 doubles pair.

Lakota West No. 3 singles player Madison Capovilla (freshman) won two matches on the first day of the tournament and will play Mason’s Lynn Kelly in the final.

Meanwhile, in doubles action, Lakota East No. 1 duo senior Samar Sheriff and senior Taylor Stephens finished in third place while East’s No. 2 duo junior Sofey Fugate and Leeah Floyd find themselves in Saturday’s final.

The last day of the GMC Tennis Tournament will begin at 8 a.m. Oct. 2 at Mason High School’s tennis facility.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Brooke Broda, Carolyn Pitman, GMC Tennis Tournament, Greater Miami Conference, Lakota East, Lakota West, Leeah Floyd, Madison Capovilla, Nicole Soutar, Samar Sheriff, Sofey Fugate, Taylor Holden, Taylor Stephens, tennis

Lakota West will aim to win its third straight Greater Miami Conference Tennis Tournament title this Thursday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 2 at Mason High School. Standing in the Firebirds way, will be Lakota East.

The Thunderhawks (17-1 overall, 9-0 in GMC) have dominated the GMC this season and appear to be in prime position to win their first-ever GMC title.

“It has been an incredible season for the team and we have accomplished a lot; our first undefeated season in the GMC, our first trip to the southwest district finals and our first time being ranked in the state (No. 6),” Lakota East head coach Karen Barnes said.

“We hope to keep our team accomplishments alive in the GMC tournament.”

Its senior No. 1 singles player Carolyn Pitman (photo), who has a perfect 7-0 record at the No. 1 spot in conference play this season, leads Lakota East. Pitman, who is a senior, could have to face Lakota West’s No. 1 singles player Brooke Broda (photo) in the GMC final.

Earlier this month, Pitman defeated Broda, who is only a freshman, 6-1, 6-4. However, the two met again in last weekend’s Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coaches Association Tournament final (GCTCA). This time, Broda defeated Pitman 6-2, 6-4. (more…)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Brooke Broda, Bryan Skoog, Carolyn Pitman, GMC, GMC Tennis Tournament, Greater Miami Conference, Karen Barnes, Lakota East, Lakota West, Madison Capovilla, Nicole Soutar, Taylor Holden, tennis