The 2025 FCIAC Boys Tennis Tournament final was a classic confrontation between storied rivals Greenwich High School and Staples – a fierce competition in which six of the seven matches were decided in three exciting sets.

Winners against the Wreckers the past two seasons in the championship match of the CIAC Class LL final, victories that concluded undefeated seasons, the Cardinals kept their perfect record intact in their showdown against their biggest rival, this time, with the FCIAC title at stake.

Receiving three singles victories, top-seeded Greenwich edged second-seeded Staples, 4-2, on May 28th, at Wilton High School to earn its third straight FCIAC Tournament championship and 19th overall, the most by any team in the competitive conference.

The championship win also extended the Cardinals’ eye-opening winning streak dating back to the 2023 season. Three-time defending FCIAC champion Greenwich, which is 18-0 so far this spring, has won 62 consecutive matches since 2023.

“It feels pretty surreal,” said Greenwich senior captain Alexander Salib, who excels at No. 1 singles. “At first, it wasn’t looking too good in the beginning and we turned it around. Now that we got it, it feels so great. We’ve put in a lot of work – a lot of long practices, a lot of tough matches. We have pushed each other to have the best team we can. Staples put up a great fight no doubt, but our team was definitely stronger.”

Greenwich registered a 4-0 win over Ridgefield in the FCIAC quarterfinals, then defeated Darien, 4-3, in the semifinals to advance to the championship match of the tournament – familiar territory for the Cardinals, who have appeared in six FCIAC finals in 10 seasons. The Cardinals topped New Canaan in the 2024 FCIAC final and beat Darien for the conference title in 2023, while also going undefeated.

“It feels amazing, especially playing such a big rival like Staples in the finals,” Greenwich senior captain Rohan Mittal said of the squad’s championship triumph against the Wreckers. “They’ve been one of our biggest competitors the last three or four years. It feels great, especially with such close matches, with almost all of us going to three sets.”

Indeed, after edging Darien in the semifinal-round, the final against the Wreckers during a steady drizzle at Wilton High School, greatly tested the resolve and skills of the Cardinals.

“This was the tightest match of the year, fittingly,” Greenwich coach Ray Marschall said. “Staples played phenomenally well. They were composed, they were solid and really tough compared to the first time we played them.”

The No. 1 singles match between Salib and Staples senior Noah Wolff featured outstanding tennis, with both athletes hitting impressive shots throughout. Wolff won the first set, 6-2, then Salib, capitalizing on a pair of key break points, took the second set, 6-2. Salib closed out the third and deciding set, 7-5, giving GHS a pivotal win at the top singles spot.

“I started pretty slowly, I lost the first set pretty quickly, down 6-2,” Salib said. “Then I was down 2-love in the beginning of the second set, then, something just clicked. Suddenly, I found my game.”

The momentum swung in Salib’s favor in the third game of the second set and he rode it to victory, winning key points thereafter.

“Everything just started working out, I was playing more confident,” Salib noted. “I was really hitting my forehand and I was winning points. That ended up being the second set. He put up a great fight in the third and it ended up being 7-5.”

The No. 1 doubles showdown saw Mittal and senior Nicholas Fruman outlast Staples seniors Brett Lampert/Lucas Ceballos-Cala, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3. This matchup was memorable as well, with both duos having their moments of greatness throughout.

“Cole (Frumin) and I are now still undefeated for this year and we hope to just keep our team going and hopefully continue throughout Invitationals and the rest of states,” said Mittal, who has flourished in his role as a No. 1 doubles competitor for several seasons.

Senior captain Manuel Galli Specos was a three-set winner for Greenwich at second singles. Galli Specos topped junior Alekos Vergakis, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, at the No. 2 spot.

Galli Specos has provided numerous clutch wins at No. 2 for the Cards, winning every match but one this spring.

In the No. 3 singles matchup, sophomore Owen Kwon gave GHS another three-set triumph, taking his match against freshman Sebastian Elizondo, 7-6 (6), 2-6, 6-3. This spring marks Kwon’s first season on the Cardinals’ varsity squad and he has found his niche at the third singles spot.

“It feels great, I put a lot of work over the winter and spring, so it feels good to get the team together and win,” Kwon said. ” I’ve just been working really hard in the offseason. I really committed myself put in the work.”

As always, there was tension in this FCIAC title match between the Cardinals and Wreckers, who are accustomed to competing against each other for a championship.

“The first set was super tight, but I was able to edge it out,” Kwon said of his win. “In the second set, I started feeling some cramping and I lost it. But then the third set I came back – emotions were high and I was able to pull out the win. There was nervousness before the match, then excitement at the end.”

The No. 4 singles match pitting Greenwich junior Elias Orrell and Staples junior Robert Jacob was not completed since GHS already got its fourth win and clinched the title matchup. Jacob won the opening set, 6-3, then Orrell took the second set, 6-3. Orrell was leading in the third set, 3-2.

“Winning one, two and three singles was pretty amazing,” Marschall said. “They each went to a third set.  It’s just remarkable, the rotation of guys that win on this team is incredible.”

Second doubles was also a hard-fought three-setter. Seniors Matthew Guadarrama and Shreyas Gorre posted a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 victory against Cardinal senior Pierre August and sophomore William Neuenfeldt at the No. 2 position. In the No. 3 doubles matchup, sophomore Kieran Anand and senior Henry Grossberg were victorious for the Wreckers, 6-3, 7-5 against Cardinals sophomore Jake Orbanowski and freshman Ryan Stanton in another well-played match.

Like the singles players, Greenwich’s doubles teams have ignited the squad throughout the season.

“All three doubles teams this year are a new combination from last year,” Mittal noted. “So, throughout the season we have gotten to know how to play with each other and how to communicate well. It’s definitely paid off.”

Salib reflected on the success the Cards’ singles lineup has enjoyed on their way to winning another FCIAC Tournament championship.

“Our singles have been very strong,” he said. “Manuel, another senior captain, has been holding down the fort at two very well. Owen as well at three singles, he’s only a sophomore, but he’s definitely been filling his role really well. He came up with a very clutch win today. Elias, his four singles debut was actually in the FCIAC final last year in this match and one year later, it’s great to see how far he’s come. He’s been doing very well at four singles and overall, we’ve just been unable to lose.”

Indeed, the wins keep coming for the Cardinals, who finished 22-0 in 2023 and 2024 and are now 18-0 during their 2025 campaign. Do the math and that makes 62 consecutive victories overall for Greenwich, which now turns its attention to capturing a third straight Class LL state tournament title. And they may very well play Staples again for the state championship.

“It’s definitely a possibility since we’re the No. 1 seed and they’re No. 2, but we have three matches before the final, so we’re going to focus on those going forward,” Salib said.

Marschall has been pleased with the work ethic and teamwork his squad has displayed throughout their championship season. Greenwich was also awarded the FCIAC West Division championship at the conclusion of the FCIAC final.

“We’ve got 19 guys on this team and there are a number of players that are there every day for practice,” Marschall said. “They create the strength of the team even if they’re not playing. I couldn’t be happier. It’s been a great season.”