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Bellbrook has emerged as the early leader in the Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division girls tennis race, while Oakwood and Waynesville remain unbeaten atop the Buckeye Division.

The Golden Eagles are 10-1 overall and 3-0 in the Southwestern Division, led by an unbeaten trio in league singles play. Tori Brown is 10-1 overall at first singles, Elizabeth Heiner is 10-1 at second singles and Lucy Volesky is 9-2 at third singles. All three are 3-0 in SWBL matches.

Franklin (6-3, 2-1) remains in the Southwestern race behind Delia Nau, who owns an 11-1 record at second singles, and Millie Nau, who is 10-2 at third singles.

Talawanda is 4-4 overall but 1-0 in league play. Monroe stands at 5-4 and 1-2, followed by Ross (2-3, 1-2) and Edgewood (1-4, 0-3).

The Buckeye Division features a tighter race. Oakwood and Waynesville are both 3-0 in league play, while Brookville is 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the division.

Brookville has received strong play throughout its lineup. Lorelai Wells is 9-3 at second singles and Kira Volk is 10-2 at third singles. The doubles combinations of Ellie Dafler and Kinley Ebbing and Mina Volk and Chloe Thomas are each 10-1.

Madison’s Allyson Crim has produced one of the division’s top individual starts with an 8-1 overall record and 4-0 league mark at first singles.

Carlisle is 6-3 overall and 2-2 in the Buckeye, while Valley View and Eaton are each 1-3 in league play and Madison is 0-4.

With several head-to-head division matches still ahead, Bellbrook has established the early advantage in the Southwestern, while Oakwood, Waynesville and Brookville remain at the center of the Buckeye race.

The Southwestern Buckeye League golf season is beginning to take shape, with several teams off to unbeaten starts and a mix of veterans and underclassmen setting the early pace individually.

On the boys side, Talawanda and Bellbrook have emerged as early Southwestern Division contenders, while Dayton Christian, Carlisle and Eaton are among the teams making noise in the Buckeye Division.

Talawanda entered this week 4-0 overall, while Bellbrook was 2-0. League play in the Southwestern Division has yet to fully develop, with Talawanda, Bellbrook, Ross, Monroe, Edgewood and Franklin all listed without a league decision in the latest SWBL standings.

The Brave have backed up their unbeaten start with balance. Junior Ryder Jallick owns one of the SWBL's best scoring averages at 38.1 through 99 holes. He is joined by sophomore Ty Slager at 40.5, senior Jack Peters at 40.6 and junior Mason Merz at 41.0, giving Talawanda four players averaging 41 or better.

That depth has already translated into results. Talawanda defeated Monroe 168-178 on Aug. 17 and Hamilton 169-186 the following day.

Bellbrook has been just as impressive at the top of its lineup. Junior Liam Reynolds carries a 38.6 average, senior Luke Wehner is at 38.8 and junior Ori Knight is at 39.8. Seniors Nicky Bruckman and Brody Seitz are averaging 40.1 and 40.3, respectively.

That gives Bellbrook five golfers averaging 40.3 or better and could make the Golden Eagles one of the league's deepest teams when postseason tournament play arrives.

One of the SWBL's best individual starts, however, belongs to Madison junior Logan Andersen. Andersen is averaging 37.2 through 45 holes, the lowest listed scoring average among players with at least 45 holes recorded. Dayton Christian senior Braden Fleming is also off to a strong start at 39.0.

Dayton Christian was 3-0 overall and 1-0 in Buckeye Division play in the latest standings. Brookville was also 1-0 in league play, while Carlisle stood 3-0 overall and Eaton 2-0. Valley View was 1-0, giving the Buckeye Division five teams that had yet to lose overall entering the latest round of matches. Madison was 2-2 overall and 0-1 in league play.

The girls race has developed differently, with league matches already providing some separation.

Brookville and Waynesville were both 2-0 in Buckeye Division play. Brookville owned a 4-1 overall record, while Waynesville was 2-1. Valley View had dropped its first league match, and Carlisle opened 0-3 in the division.

In the Southwestern Division, Talawanda and Edgewood were each 1-0. Talawanda was also unbeaten overall at 4-0, while Edgewood was 2-1. Ross stood 1-1 in league play and 3-4 overall. Bellbrook senior Alina Shroyer has established herself as the league's early individual leader. Shroyer is averaging 43.5 through 72 holes, narrowly ahead of Ross senior Julianne Combs, who has a 44.8 average over the same number of holes. Eaton junior Emma Hittle is third at 46.0, followed by Edgewood junior Carleigh Shoemaker at 47.4 and Edgewood senior Olivia Nichols at 47.8.

Edgewood's early success has been aided by a lineup with several golfers among the league's statistical leaders. In addition to Shoemaker and Nichols, senior Kaydence Brown is averaging 52.6, giving the Cougars three players among the top 11 on the SWBL scoring list.

Oakwood also has several golfers clustered near the top. Senior Quinn Stitsinger is averaging 48.3, junior Nicole Maroz 51.1 and sophomore Veronica Coomer 54.0. Brookville senior Mallory Mitchell is averaging 49.0, while Talawanda junior Charley Robinson is also at 49.0 through her first 18 recorded holes.

The league's Southwestern Division championship is scheduled for Sept. 8, followed by the Buckeye Division championship Sept. 10.