Winning serve

When Jillian Milano trains with her professional tennis coach, it sounds different than the other players there. Her pink tennis shoes squeak louder and when the tennis ball makes contact with her racquet it sounds like an explosion. “We knew at a young age she had a special talent,” said Greg Milano, Jillian’s father.

Greg should know. He was on the Wright State tennis team in the early 1980s and graduated with a degree in communication. “They would’ve been happy for me no matter where I went, but I think they were happy I chose Wright State,” said Jillian.

Jillian will graduate from Carroll High School this spring and follow in her parent’s footsteps. She will attend Wright State this fall and is undecided on her major, but like her father she will play tennis for the Raiders.

“We feel very confident that Jillian will be very successful at Wright State,” said Fran Milano, Jillian’s mother.

Fran, who is the owner of Frances Milano & Associates, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, is confident that her daughter will receive a quality education. Milano received a graduate Bachelor of Science in Financial Planning Services and has hired several graduates from the same program.

“Being a student at Wright state has really helped support that whole idea of we want to reach out and help people,” said Fran.

Wright State isn’t the only team that the Milanos cheer for. Jillian’s older sister Carli is a sophomore tennis player at Wittenberg University. “If they ever play each other no rooting is allowed. We will be happy for both of them,” said Greg. The Wright State tennis team hosted the Wittenberg Tigers on April 9.

Wright State celebrates its 50th anniversary as an independent public university in 2017, culminating with a special Homecoming celebration Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.