Greenwich High girls tennis team tops FCIAC rival Staples, remains undefeated

By David Fierro on April 14, 2023 • ( Leave a comment )

**Photo by Lulu Diez de Bonilla:** Greenwich High School’s girls tennis team gathers after defeating Staples in Westport.

Four matches, four victories, including a win against a rival that’s had its number in the past – that’s how the season has gone so far for Greenwich High School’s girls tennis team.

Greenwich posted a perfect 3-0 record this week, capping it with an impressive 6-1 victory against Staples in Westport on Thursday. The triumph improved the Cardinals’ record to 4-0 and marked their first win over the Wreckers in quite some time. Staples defeated Greenwich in the regular season in 2022 and also in the CIAC Class LL Tournament quarterfinals, so Thursday’s win was indeed, especially significant.

Against Staples, the Cardinals won three of their four singles matches and swept the three doubles matchups. Senior Ivanna Diez de Bonilla was victorious at second singles for the Cardinals, winning her match against Staples senior Audrey Kercher, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

**Photo courtesy of Lulu Diez de Bonilla**: Greenwich’s girls tennis team gets ready to play Staples on April 13, 2023.

At third singles, GHS junior Lilly Foley was off the court quickly in winning her match, 6-0, 6-0. Malena Schraa, a Greenwich junior, earned a 6-4, 6-3 victory against Staples sophomore Lola Lamensdorf at fourth singles.

The Wreckers’ singles victory came at the No. 1 spot, where senior Karenna Birns defeated Greenwich junior Kyra Dybas, 6-3, 6-3. In doubles action, junior Emily Weinstein and senior Julia Tamis continued their fine play at first doubles for the Cardinals, taking a 6-3, 6-4 decision from Staples’ senior duo of Caroline Caggiano/Jenna Kornbluth.

**Photo courtesy of Lulu Diez de Bonilla**: Greenwich has defeated each opponent it has faced so far this season.

Sophomore Yume Inagawa and freshman Caitlin Mahoney were 6-1, 6-4 winners for the Cards at No. 2 doubles over Lucia Wang/Sarah Marron. In the No. 3 doubles match, junior Izzy Everett and freshman Shining Sun also showed outstanding teamwork, registering a 6-3, 6-2 win against their Staples opponents.

On Tuesday, Greenwich traveled to Fairfield Ludlowe and recorded a 5-2 win. Like Staples, Ludlowe was a team that defeated GHS in 2022, so it was another satisfying victory for the Cardinals.

Dybas was victorious at first singles against Ludlowe, winning her match, 6-4, 6-2. Diez de Bonilla was a straight set winner at second singles (6-2, 6-3) and Foley came back to win her match at No. 3 singles, 1-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4).

**Photo courtesy of Lulu Diez de Bonilla**: Greenwich excelled in both singles and doubles play against Staples.

Schraa was edged at No. 4 in a hard-fought three set match. Inagawa/Mahoney won at second doubles versus Ludlowe (6-4, 6-4), while sophomore Emme Pecorin and freshman Maddy Wilber posted a 7-6 (3), 6-3 win at third doubles.

Weinstein/Tamis were edged at first doubles against Ludlowe, 6-3, 7-5.

The Cardinals’ successful week began when they swept visiting Brien McMahon on Monday, 7-0.

**Photo by Lulu Diez de Bonilla:** Emily Weinstein and Julia Tamis teamed up for another victory in the Greenwich’s match against Staples on April 13, 2023, in Westport.

In singles play against McMahon, Dybas (6-1, 6-1), Diez de Bonilla (6-0, 6-1), Foley (6-0, 6-0) and Schraa (6-0, 6-1) each won in straight sets.

Weinstein/Tamis (6-1, 6-1), Inagawa/Mahoney (6-0, 6-1) and Pecorin/Wilber (6-0, 6-0) also swept their doubles matches against Brien McMahon.

**Photo by Lulu Diez de Bonilla:** Malena Schraa gets ready to return a shot during her match against Staples.

The Cardinals will look to win their fifth straight match to start the season when they are back home to host Norwalk on Monday at 4:30 p.m. Greenwich will then visit Fairfield Warde on Tuesday and host Trumbull on Thursday.