Each opponent that has faced the Greenwich High School girls tennis team in the CIAC Class LL Tournament has experienced the same result – a 7-0 loss.

The Cardinals have been perfect in the state tournament so far, sweeping all three of their foes on their way to earning a spot in a match the program hasn’t reached in a while – the state final.

Second-seeded Greenwich advanced to the championship match of the CIAC Class LL Tournament for the first time since 2016 with a 7-0 home victory over No. 14 Wilton yesterday in the tournament’s semifinal-round. Up next for the Cardinals is rival New Canaan in today’s Class LL final at Wesleyan University. The championship matchup between the two FCIAC teams is scheduled to be held at 3 p.m. at Wesleyan in Middletown. Greenwich enters the title match with a record of 20-1.

“Our team has been working really hard and we’re thrilled to have made it to the finals,” Greenwich coach Julie Shropshire said. “It’s been a great season so far and we’re looking forward to giving it our all in the upcoming match.”

The Cardinals last won the state championship in 2009 when they beat Amity Regional, 6-1, for the title. Since then, they have made it to the state final three times, losing to Staples in 2016, New Canaan (2012) and Fairfield Warde (2010).

“This season has been really good so far, and I think everyone has put in a lot of work,” said junior Kyra Dybas, Greenwich’s No. 1 singles player. “I’m excited to see how we do in the finals.”

Dybas won her match at the No. 1 singles spot for GHS, 7-6 (5), 6-3 against Wilton’s Vivian Eckert. At No. 2 singles, freshman Shining Sun continued to spark the Cardinals. Sun was victorious against Warriors junior Charlotte Stapowski, 6-0, 6-3.

“The match against Wilton was amazing,” Sun said. “Everyone played their hardest and we are all so excited to go onto finals.”

Junior Lilly Foley was a 6-0, 7-5 winner for the Cards at No. 3 singles against Wilton junior Melanie Rutkowski. At fourth singles, Malena Schraa gave Greenwich another clutch performance, winning her match versus junior Bridget Murphy, 6-0, 6-0.

“It was warm, so I was taking my time,” Schraa said of her strategy. “This time, I was focusing less on consistency and more on winners, because that is typically my comfortable spot. I had an opportunity to do that, because she hit a fast-paced ball and I love hitting back with that. So, it was mainly just winners.”

In doubles play, senior Julia Tamis and junior Emily Weinstein of the Cardinals posted a 6-2, 6-3 triumph over junior Phoebe Snow and sophomore Abby Byrnes at the No. 1 spot.

“This time, the girls we played did the same exact thing as last time, they backed up to the baseline and it threw us off a little bit, but we learned how to play with that,” Weinstein noted. “We brought them up to the net. Being really aggressive at net really helped us. Consistency was our No. 1 goal and it worked.”

Weinstein and Tamis kept the momentum in each set.

“We won 6-2 in the first set and we were really confident, but we didn’t want to get complacent after that,” Weinstein said. “We kept the same energy and it worked out really well for us.”

Said Tamis: “I am so proud of how Emily and I played today, especially since we lost in three sets to Wilton last time. Our game was so strong today, especially at net. We have grown so much as partners and as a team and I am so excited for the finals.”

At second doubles, sophomore Yume Inagawa and freshman Caitlin Mahoney continued to flourish, registering an impressive 6-0, 6-1 triumph against Wilton juniors Megan Dodman and Lily Brown.

“Making it to the finals is huge for us, because we were knocked out of FCIACs and it was pretty upsetting,” Inagawa said. “I’m glad we made it to finals and I think we can win it all. It was a tough match, it’s always fun playing with them there’s always really good points.”

Said Mahoney: ““I think me and Yume played really well today. Our energy recently has been great and playing has been a lot of fun. Every shot and point we put a lot of effort into which contributes to our success this season. I think after our hard lost to Darien in the FCIACs we have really had a positive change of momentum and are ready to play some great tennis tomorrow in the finals no matter what happens. I’m excited to end this year off on a high note.”

In the No. 3 doubles matchup, sophomore Emme Pecorin and freshman Maddie Wilber earned a hard-fought 6-4, 2-6, 10-8 win over junior Catherine Walsh and senior Julie Ursitti.

“Today was a fun, but tough match with the heat,” Wilber noted. “The match was super close the entire time and there were lots of long points, so my partner, Emme, and I just focused on keeping the energy up and staying in a positive mindset.”

Overall, Greenwich has captured 10 state tennis titles, including four in a row from the 2006 season through 2009. One more win and this could be the year of the Cardinals.

“We are excited, it should be fun, I’m really excited about playing at Wesleyan,” Weinstein said. “We have to go out there with the same energy. I think we have improved over the past few weeks and I think we are all energized and focused right now, so I think that will give us an advantage.”

“I’m super excited for all of us,” Schraa said. “Winning it would mean a lot to the program. A win would definitely make women’s tennis a lot more seen in Greenwich.”