By David Fierro
The 2023 season saw the Greenwich High School girls tennis team come extremely close to meeting its ultimate goal, on Thursday, the Cardinals achieved their main, season-long goal.
A highly impressive 4-0 win over 11th-seeded Staples in the championship match at Wilton High School gave top-seeded Greenwich the CIAC Class LL Tournament title, its first since the 2009 season.
With the state championship victory, Greenwich concluded its season with a sparkling record of 21-1. The Cardinals have now won 11 state championships, the others coming in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1990 and 1989. In 2023, Greenwich earned a spot in the Class LL Tournament final, where it was edged by New Canaan, 4-2.
In Thursday’s Class LL title matchup, senior captain Kyra Dybas won the first set of her No. 1 singles match against her Staples opponent and was ahead, 4-1, in the second set, when the Cardinals picked up their fourth win and clinched the championship. At second singles, sophomore Shining Sun of Greenwich posted a 6-1, 6-0 victory against her Staples opponent.
“This match went so well and we were extremely ready for it,” Greenwich senior captain Malena Schraa said. “We knew Staples would come out strong and we needed to be stronger.”
In the No. 3 singles match, GHS sophomore Caitlin Mahoney was also in top form. She won her first set against her Staples opponent, 6-0 and was leading 5-1 in the second set, when the match ended due to the Cardinals picking up their fourth win and capturing the title.
At fourth singles, junior Izzy Everett finished her match for the Cards, registering a 6-0, 6-1 win against the Wreckers.
“Our team was incredibly focused on winning, as we have been getting so close,” Schraa said.
Doubles action in the Class LL final saw Schraa and senior Emily Weinstein take their opening set versus their Staples foes, 6-2. They were then tied at 1-1 in the second set when the match ended.
“Emily and I played well, we came on strong and won the first set when the previous time we played them, we lost in two sets,” Schraa noted. “Emily had great serves and I was able to use my backhand side a lot.”
At second doubles, junior Yume Inagawa and freshman Cameron Sowter gave Greenwich, coached by Gerard Sulli, a dominant 6-1, 6-0 victory in the championship match. Junior Emme Pecorin and sophomore Maddy Wilber continued their perfect season at No. 3 doubles.
Pecorin and Wilber concluded the season undefeated in doubles action, winning their match against Staples, decisively, 6-0, 6-1. For the Class LL Tournament, Greenwich defeated all strong FCIAC opponents – Westhill, Fairfield Ludlowe, Wilton and Staples.
“Our team played so well and I can’t express my happiness of our win,” Schraa said.
