The Aurora High School girls tennis team has started the season with 13 consecutive victories. Key league matchups with Medina Highland and Revere still await the Greenmen.

By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Fall has been a season of perfection for the Aurora girls tennis team.

Thirteen matches have resulted in 13 victories.

Head coach Dania Rinicella anticipated her team would have a successful season, but even she would not have predicted an undefeated start to the year.

“I knew we would have a successful season, but did I think we would start this strong, winning every single match? Probably not,” she said. “We have played some extremely tough teams and have pulled out a lot of 3-2 wins. I am very proud of the way these ladies fight for every win.”

In doing so, the Greenmen are in position to challenge for the Suburban League championship, which would be the program’s first since 2014, which capped off a six-year run of consecutive titles for the program.

Rinicella has been there all along the way, now in her 17th year coaching girls tennis at Aurora — and her 22nd season overall.

The Aurora girls tennis program has won eight league championships in its history, including a six-year run from 2009 to 2014.

To keep the championship within reach, Rinicella points to key matchups against Medina Highland and Revere that still await the team.

“We have not beaten Highland since we switched to the (Suburban League),” she said.

The team’s standout singles starters include junior Gracie Milano at first singles, freshman Kamy Milano at second singles and senior Elle Brubaker at third singles. At doubles, the Greenmen have received solid play from senior Blake Barner, senior Lily Gossett and senior Lulu McGhee.

Additionally, newcomers, juniors Nora Abbass and Maya McVicker, have also been able to produce for the team.

“My entire team are standout players,” Rinicella said. “We keep getting wins with each girl stepping up on different days.

“They are all a special group of ladies, who work hard and love being part of this team,” Rinicella added. “They are all exceptionally nice girls, who have great sportsmanship on and off the court.”

Aurora had a competitive last season and graduated two starting seniors. However, Rinicella, alongside her JV coach, are accustomed to filling spots to keep the program on an upward trajectory.

“Our top JV girls (from last season) stepped right onto the team with a smooth transition,” the veteran coach said.

Not all programs can celebrate that kind of transition from year to year, but Aurora continues to do it.

“All the girls on the team work hard all year long to improve their games,” Rinicella said. “Most of them play five times a week in the off-season. I have to give credit to all the great teaching pros in the area who help push the girls to do and be their best during the off-season.”

All of it has helped make the in-season full of success to this point.