Cardinals girls tennis team tops Westhill, advances to CIAC Class LL state tournament quarterfinals against Wilton

By David Fierro on May 26, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

**Photo by David Fierro**: Maddy Wilber of Greenwich gets ready to hit a forehand return during her match at No. 2 doubles against Westhill High School on May 25, 2024, at Greenwich High School. The Cardinals won, 6-1, to move on to the quarterfinal-round of the CIAC Class LL Tournament.

Following a successful appearance in the FCIAC Tournament in which it advanced all the way to the championship match, the Greenwich High School girls tennis team has its sights set on making it to another final – this time, the title matchup of the CIAC Class LL Tournament.

Seeded first, the Cardinals began their journey toward what they hope, is the state final, by hosting 17th-seeded Westhill on Saturday morning in the opening round of the Class LL Tournament.

Greenwich improved its record to an outstanding 18-1 eliminating Westhill, 6-1, in the state tournament’s first round. The Cardinals now play ninth-seeded Wilton in Tuesday’s 2 p.m. Class LL quarterfinals at Greenwich High School.

Greenwich’s lone loss of the season is to New Canaan, which edged the Cardinals in the FCIAC championship match, 4-3. There won’t be a Greenwich-New Canaan rematch in the Class LL Tournament, as the Rams are competing in the Class L state tournament this season.

**Photo by David Fierro**: Kyra Dybas of Greenwich High School gets ready to return a shot at first singles during a match against visiting Westhill High School in the first round of the CIAC Class LL Girls Tennis Tournament. The Cardinals won, 6-1.

“We look forward to playing Wilton on Tuesday, that should be an exciting match as well,” Greenwich first-season coach Gerard Sulli said.

In Saturday’s Class LL Tournament opener, Greenwich swept the three doubles matches from Westhill and won three of the four singles matches. At No. 1 doubles, seniors Malena Schraa and Emily Weinstein were perfect for Greenwich, sweeping Keily Ortiz and Maddy Rosenhaft, 6-0, 6-0.

“It was a good match, we played these girls before, so I feel like we knew their game a little bit and that definitely helped us start off strong,” said Weinstein, who displayed a strong serve throughout the doubles match.

Emily Weinstein, left and Malena Schraa of Greenwich were victorious again at first doubles, winning their state tournament match against Westhill at Greenwich High School on May 25, 2024.

“We also tried something a little different, we had me serve first and I think that was a nice change,” Weinstein noted.

Schraa and Weinstein have complemented each other exceptionally well throughout the season, with their styles of play resulting in numerous impressive victories.

“It was good, this was our third time playing them, they’re good and we were just really excited to get into our first round and get it started,” Schraa said.

Westhill’s victory came at No. 1 singles. Senior Isabel Jakes of Westhill faced Greenwich senior Kyra Dybas and the two had another hard-fought matchup. Both players exhibited fine play, hitting winners and showcasing their powerful groundstrokes.

Malena Schraa of Greenwich gets ready to return a shot from the baseline during her doubles match versus Westhill.

Jakes won the three-set (third set pro set tiebreaker), defeating Dybas, 6-2, 1-6, 10-3 at the top singles spot.

“They are always exciting to watch,” Sulli said of the No. 1 singles match. “They each played very well. She (Dybas) does a great job of being our captain, she’s a natural leader.”

In the No. 2 singles match, GHS sophomore Shining Sun was a 6-2, 6-0 winner against Westhill senior Sophia Alexander.

Emily Weinstein of the Cardinals tennis team in action during the state tournament against Westhill at GHS.

“It was good, I wasn’t playing the best in the beginning, but later I started getting rhythm and I hit consistently and cleanly,” Sun said of her victory. “I was able to make a lot of good passing shots. I’m excited about the next round, I feel like it will be a lot of fun.”

Third singles saw sophomore Caitlin Mahoney post a 6-0, 6-0 victory against Westhill junior Maddy Rosenhaft.

“Today was definitely a hot one out, so we had to stay focused throughout the whole match, but I thought it was a good match,” Mahoney said.

Junior Izzy Everett gave Greenwich another decisive win at fourth singles. Everett topped freshman Nathalie Gueguen, 6-2, 6-1.

Greenwich High School’s Caitlin Mahoney hits a shot during her match at No. 3 singles against Westhill. She won the match.

At second doubles, the Cardinals freshman tandem of Avery Li and Cameron Sowter were victorious in their first state match, 6-0, 6-0. Junior Emme Pecorin and sophomore Maddy Wilber continued their sensational play at third doubles, sweeping to a 6-0, 6-0 victory versus Westhill.

“Overall, it was a good match and we had good energy,” Pecorin said. “I’m very excited for the week coming up. We came really close last year, so hopefully this year we can win the state title.”

“We want to give our seniors as many final matches as we can,” Wilber noted. “I thought our match was good, we were patient and tried to wait for our opponents to make a mistake before we did.”

Isabel Jakes of Westhill High School gets ready to hit a shot from the baseline at No. 1 singles against Greenwich High School.

Sulli is used to seeing his doubles players excel each time they take the court.

“They played strong today, they were patient, they waited for their shots,” he said. “Volleys, serving, everything was clicking.”

Should Greenwich defeat Wilton in Tuesday’s Class LL quarterfinals, it will host the Darien-Fairfield Ludlowe winner in Wednesday’s semifinal-round. The Class LL Tournament finals are scheduled to be held on Thursday at Wesleyan University.

Emme Pecorin of the Cardinals tennis team gets ready to return a serve against Westhill at No. 3 doubles in the state tourney.

“It’s definitely going to be a challenge, we’re not used to having that many matches in a row, but I think we’re definitely capable of it and I think it will be very motivating for us,” Weinstein said.

“We are hoping to get two in a row Tuesday and Wednesday and move up to Wesleyan on Thursday,” Schraa said. “We’re very excited.”

Photo by David Fierro: Kyra Dybas of the Greenwich High girls tennis team competes at first singles in the state tourney.

Said Mahoney: “We are definitely looking to go all the way this year and make it to the finals on Thursday. We are all trying our best and putting our best foot forward so we can win this year. They’re going to get tougher as we go, but everyone is looking forward to it.”