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04/30/2022 12:00 AMThe Guilford girls’ tennis team has been nearly unstoppable throughout the first half of the 2022 season. The Grizzlies continued their hot streak by earning a trio of 7-0 victories last week to improve their record to 9-2 in the 2022 campaign.
Guilford posted shutouts over Sheehan, Shelton, and Sacred Heart Academy in recent action. Head Coach Chris Marra feels pleased with his team’s strong start as the Grizzlies try to build off a 2021 season in which they went 13-7 and made it to the Class L state quarterfinals.
“My expectation for the season is that we really are hoping to build on last year and continue to improve the team as a whole,” Coach Marra said. “We are still a very young team with only two juniors who start. The rest are all sophomores and freshmen, so we have a long way to go.”
Guilford opened up last week by posting a 7-0 home victory against Sheehan on April 25. Junior captain Riley Mullett earned a 6-0, 6-0 win in the No. 1 singles match for the Grizzlies. Freshman Caroline Hergan claimed a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 2 singles; freshman Thitida Kham won a 6-1, 6-3 decision at No. 3 singles; and freshman Olivia Cowperthwait notched a 6-4, 7-5 victory in the No. 4 singles contest.
Guilford also swept the doubles matches versus Sheehan. The Grizzlies’ No. 1 team of sophomore Alexie Gipson and sophomore Kendall Mulligan posted a 6-1, 6-0 win; the No. 2 duo of junior Kate DeAngelo and freshman Mia Hardy earned a 6-2, 6-0 win; and the No. 3 tandem of senior Jadeyn Violette and freshman Luci Brechlin notched a 6-0, 7-5 victory.
Coach Marra said that Guilford’s roster features a quality mix of solid new players and returning stalwarts as the Grizzlies compete on the courts this year.
“Our singles lineup of Riley Mullett, [sophomore] Kallie Kagan, and [sophomore] Molly Peterson are joined by new players [freshman] Caroline Hergan and [freshman] Sophie Gochman. They are both great new players we are happy to have,” Marra said. “Our returning doubles players of Kendall Mulligan, Alexie Gipson, and [sophomore] Gabby Kellner are joined by [junior] Izzy Bowman, Kate DeAngelo, [freshman] Peyton Lynch, and Thitida Kham. We have so many great new players and players who are stepping up from last year. It’s a strong team that still has so much room to improve.”
Two days later, the Grizzlies were on the road to face Shelton and blanked the Gaels by a 7-0 score. Mullett and Hergan claimed 6-1, 6-0 victories at the top two singles spots for Guilford. Peterson recorded a 6-0, 6-0 shutout at No. 3 singles, while sophomore Irene Esplugues won her No. 4 singles matchup by a 6-3, 6-2 score.
In doubles action, Gipson and Gochman teamed up to play at the No. 1 spot and prevailed by the score of 6-1, 6-0. DeAngelo and Kham were 7-6, 6-2 winners at No. 2 doubles and freshman Clara Aprie and Hardy triumphed at No. 3 doubles after winning an 8-6 decision in the only set of play.
“Last year was a great transition year with five seniors playing, so they were able to give the incoming players, both sophomores and freshmen, guidance and lessons from their experiences,” said Coach Marra. “This year, the players who played last year are doing the same, and we are really cultivating the team to have both a strong on court work ethic with a strong team-bonding piece.”
Guilford capped off its week by earning a 7-0 home win versus Sacred Heart Academy on April 28. Mullett (6-2, 6-2), Kagan (6-1, 6-2), Hergan (6-0, 6-0), and Peterson (6-1, 6-0) were all victorious for the Grizzlies in singles competition.
In doubles play, Bowman and Gochman joined forces to play the No. 1 spot and came away with a 6-2, 6-1 victory. Kellner and Lynch gutted out a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory at No. 2 doubles; and the pairing of DeAngelo and Gipson won their No. 3 doubles contest by the final tally of 6-1, 6-0.
“I want to do the best I can to keep the girls happy, healthy, and focused,” Marra said. “We have a large team this year, close to 30 players, so it’s a lot to manage, but they are all great kids and work hard to improve each day. I think we all want to do our best for each other.”
Mullett is serving as Guilford’s team captain in her junior season. Coach Marra said that Kagan and Kellner are also helping to lead the Grizzlies as they strive to achieve their dreams between the baselines this spring.
“Riley Mullett is our captain, and she has shown tremendous leadership. She sets a great example both on and off the court,” said Marra. “Kallie has the most amazing energy and is great at inspiring the girls to participate off the court and work hard on the court. Gabby is very organized and is also very compassionate and understanding, so the girls can really talk to her. Together, the three of them make a strong leadership team and are a huge part of our team’s success.”