Featuring experience and depth, Greenwich High’s girls tennis team primed for a successful spring season

By David Fierro on April 9, 2023 • ( Leave a comment )

**Photo courtesy of Lulu Diez de Bonilla**: Greenwich High School’s varsity girls tennis team gathers after defeating visiting Weston on April 8, 2023, at Greenwich High School.

Following a strong preseason, Greenwich High School’s girls tennis team couldn’t have asked for a better way to begin its 2023 regular season.

Displaying stellar play in both singles and doubles competition, Greenwich opened its 2023 season in style, defeating visiting Weston, 7-0, on Saturday in a non-conference match.

“We had a great kick-off to the season today,” Greenwich senior co-captain Ivanna Diez de Bonilla said following Saturday’s win against Weston. “I’m happy to see everybody putting their best foot forward and keeping their spirits high.”

The Cardinals were absolutely perfect in Saturday’s season-opening match against Weston, winning each matchup in straight sets.

**Photo by Lulu Diez de Bonilla**: Greenwich’s varsity girls tennis team swept Weston in its season-opener on April 8, 2023.

“This has been a great start to the season,” GHS coach Julie Shropshire said. “There is a lot of depth on the team, with all the returning girls coming in stronger than previous years and our three freshmen, who are already contributing so much to the team.”

The 2022 season saw Greenwich post a record of 11-7 and qualify for both the FCIAC and CIAC Class LL tournaments. Of the Cardinals’ seven losses last spring, three of them came to Staples, which lost to Darien in the Class LL Tournament semifinals. Greenwich was defeated by Staples in the FCIAC Tournament quarterfinals and the first round of the Class LL state tourney.

In Saturday’s victory over Weston, Greenwich (1-0) received a 7-6, 6-0 win from junior Kyra Dybas at No. 1 singles. Dybas defeated Weston’s Elena Negri at the No. 1 spot.

“I think that today’s match was a great start to the season for our team and everyone played really well,” Dybas said. “I think we have all improved a lot and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

**Photo courtesy of Lulu Diez de Bonilla:** Malena Schraa of Greenwich returns a shot during her singles match vs. Weston.

At second singles, Diez de Bonilla registered a decisive 6-0, 6-1 win against Weston’s Maddie Jung. Junior Lilly Foley swept her match at No. 3 singles for the Cardinals, topping Chloe Liu of Weston, 6-0, 6-1.

Malena Schraa, a junior, who is in her third season on the squad, was victorious for Greenwich at fourth singles in straight sets. Schraa rolled to a 6-0, 6-0 triumph at the No. 4 spot.

“Today showed the strength and potential of our team, and how positive and hopeful the outlook of the season is this year,” Schraa said.

**Photo by Lulu Diez de Bonilla**: Greenwich hopes to be a contender in the strong FCIAC this spring season.

In doubles action, senior Julia Tamis and junior Emily Weinstein began their 2023 season as a duo in impressive fashion for GHS. Tamis and Weinstein, both of whom have helped lead the Cards on the court in previous seasons, were 6-1, 6-3 winners in their No. 1 doubles match against Caleigh Foster/Megan Shanahon of Weston.

“This is the strongest team we have had in the past few years and I’m excited for what is to come,” said Tamis, a co-captain. “Both singles and doubles are working hard and we have a very promising season ahead of us.”

**Photo by Lulu Diez de Bonilla:** Greenwich defeated Weston in the season-opening match on April 8, 2023.

Sophomore Yume Inagawa and freshman Caitlin Mahoney made their doubles debut at the No. 2 spot for the Cardinals in victorious fashion. Inagawa and Mahoney posted a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 2 doubles.

The third doubles match saw freshman Shining Sun and sophomore Izzy Everett start their season strong, recording a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

**Photo by Lulu Diez de Bonilla:** Greenwich has a deep singles and doubles lineup this season.

Also in an exhibition singles match, Greenwich’s Mei McGuinnes, a senior, was an 8-1 winner (No. 5). Emme Pecorin, a sophomore and freshman Maddie Wilber teamed up for a victory in straight sets (6-1, 6-0) in an exhibition doubles match, while teammates Valentina Rivano, a senior and senior Sydney Floch were also winners in their doubles matchup for the Cardinals.

**Photo courtesy of Lulu Diez de Bonilla**: Greenwich hosts Brien McMahon on April 10 in its second match of the season.

Greenwich is back in action again Monday against visiting Brien McMahon in its FCIAC-opener. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at Greenwich High School.

The Cardinals will then travel to Fairfield Ludlowe for a match on Tuesday at 11 a.m. – the schools have spring break this week – and visit rival Staples on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Last season, Darien, which won the FCIAC and Class LL tournament titles, finished with a regular season record of 15-0 and proceeded to earn an undefeated season. Staples had a 14-1 regular season record, while New Canaan and Westhill each went 12-3 and Ludlowe and Greenwich were 11-4 and 10-5, respectively.

**Photo by Lulu Diez de Bonilla**: Greenwich High’s girls tennis team excelled in its first match of the season, a win vs. Weston.

So, indeed, the FCIAC is loaded with a group of talented teams and Greenwich is aiming to be a contender and take its success to a higher level this spring.

“This match definitely fueled us with energy and good vibes and I’m excited to see our girls perform next week,” Diez de Bonilla said of the Cardinals’ season-opener.”

Said Shropshire: “All are working really hard in practices with positive attitude and strong work ethic. I am hoping to keep this momentum going into next week.”