By David Steinbacher
Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 9/25/03)

The Bishop Ireton girl’s tennis team continues to make excellent strides under the tutelage of veteran coach Mike Hutton. The Cardinals, who have finished no worse than third place in the WCAC during Hutton’s tenure, currently weigh-in with an overall record of 3-2.

The Cardinals defeated archrival O'Connell 6-3 and have also defeated both Bishop McNamara and St. Mary's Ryken by the identical score of 8-1. Ireton dropped matches to WCAC powerhouse Paul VI and to private school powerhouse Potomac School. "Paul VI and Potomac School are probably the toughest teams we'll face this year," said Hutton.

Leading the Lady Cardinals in 2003 are senior Hillary Breheny, sophomore Blair Blincoe, senior Lindsay Mackie, senior Irene Rojas, senior Abigail Wallis and sophomore Mia Breheny rounds out the talented starting lineup.

Wallis and Breheny lead the charge with 3-1 overall records. Blincoe and Mackie follow close behind with overall records of 3-2. Breheny and Mackie were selected team captains.

"We haven't yet played our best singles tennis of the campaign yet," said Hutton, who has led the Cardinals to 43 match victories since September 1999. The elder Breheny and Blincoe play doubles number one and weigh in with a 2-1 overall record. Mackie and Wallis team up at doubles number two and are just shy of a winning record. Rojas and sophomore Emily Wallis play doubles number three and weigh in with a 2-1 record.

"I am quite comfortable with the combination of the girls in doubles. We've got quite a few new girls playing this season. They are getting more and more comfortable [with their doubles partner] as the season has progressed," said Hutton. "Irene, Abigail, Mia and Emily are all playing varsity for the first time. They have more than held their own. I've been very pleased with all seven ladies. We've got a real chance to finish either second or third in the league this season."

Paul VI, coached by Craig Tutt, is a near-consensus choice to win the WCAC this season.