The Bishop Ireton Girls Tennis Team found out first hand how tough St. John’s is on the hardcourts.
Ireton entered the September 22 match with a perfect 6-0 record, but visiting WCAC-foe St. John’s (from Northwest D.C.) steamrolled the Ireton Cardinals 9-0.
The Lady Cadets won all six singles matches and all three doubles matches.
Ireton freshman Monica Zakaria (singles #3) fared the best of the day, losing 10-5 in singles.
Ireton seniors Christine McCoy/Jackie Dorsey (doubles #1) fared the best of the day, losing 8-4 in doubles.
On the season, three Ireton girls are well above .500 in singles play: senior Rachel Gartlan (#6) weighs-in at 6-1 overall; senior Melissa Dickerson (#4) weighs-in at 5-2 and Zakaria weighs-in at 4-2 (missing one match due to sickness).
Energetic head coach Katie Sloper provided her thoughts regarding the St. John’s match, saying, St. John’s has some very good players [defending WCAC Champions]. Despite the scores, our girls played hard and they stuck with the game plan.
Ireton finished second in the nine-team league last season (behind St. John’s), which shows how wide the gulf is between the top-seeded Cadets and everyone else.
This season, Ireton has only lost to the Cadets and weighs in at 6-1 overall, including: 6-3 win vs. Potomac School; 8-1 wins vs. both Paul VI and Good Counsel; 5-4 win vs. Holy Cross; 6-3 win vs. McNamara and a 9-0 win vs. St. Marys Ryken.
