Perfection has become the standard for Greenwich girls tennis.
The Cardinals completed an undefeated season Wednesday by sweeping Staples 4-0 in the CIAC Class LL championship at New Canaan High School, capturing their third consecutive state title and finishing the year 22-0.
It was déjà vu for the rivals. Greenwich has defeated Staples in each of the last three Class LL championship matches — all by identical 4-0 scores.
The victory also extended the Cardinals' remarkable winning streak to 48 consecutive matches dating back to their 2024 championship season.
Cardinals dominate from the opening serve
Senior captain Shining Sun wasted little time putting Greenwich on the board, cruising to a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Olivia Lazar at No. 1 singles.
Senior captain Caitlin Mahoney followed with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Amelia Berkowitz at No. 2 singles. Mahoney completed an extraordinary career, finishing undefeated in regular-season matches at No. 2 singles across all four years on varsity.
The Cardinals were equally dominant in doubles.
Senior Maddy Wilber and freshman Sofia Rodriguez Guerrero earned a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Rachel Guzman and Azita Vazhayil at No. 1 doubles before seniors Bella Barban and Olivia Popp sealed the championship with a commanding 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles.
With four matches completed, the team title was clinched, leaving the remaining contests unfinished. Freshman Chloe Culver was leading 6-2, 5-2 at No. 4 singles when play stopped.
'Everyone works so hard'
"I'm really proud of us," senior captain Shining Sun told Greenwich Sports Beat. "You can't pull off 44 miraculous wins. Everyone works so hard throughout the year. Every single match, they go out with their best mind, best foot forward and they just give it their all day after day."
Sun was referring to Greenwich's back-to-back 22-0 seasons in 2025 and 2026. The program's current 48-match winning streak also includes victories from the end of its 2024 championship campaign.
Head coach Jerry Sulli praised the team's leadership, crediting six seniors for helping integrate six freshmen into the program. Three freshmen earned spots in the Cardinals' starting lineup this season.
A dynasty with no signs of slowing down
The championship is the 13th CIAC girls tennis state title in program history and caps another banner year for Greenwich, which also captured its second consecutive FCIAC championship with a 4-0 victory over Staples.
While the Cardinals will graduate senior leaders Sun, Mahoney, Wilber, Barban and Popp, the future remains bright. Junior Avery Li, who played No. 3 singles in the state final, returns as the team's highest-ranked returning starter heading into the 2027 season.
