THE LHS boys’ tennis seniors, from left to right, captain Rafik Khodr, captain Sahil Akhter and Avi Shrivastava were honored before their victory over Masco on May 25. The Pioneers finished the regular season at 15-1 and will get ready to host Mashpee in a Div. 4 state tournament first round matchup on Thursday. (Courtesy Photo)

 

Updates post publication:

Lynnfield defeats Mashpee 5-0 (6/1)

Lynnfield defeats Rockport 4-1 on (6/6)

Advances to the Div. 4 Round of 8

Click here for game details 

 

 

Published May 31, 2023

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — In their final match of the regular season, the Lynnfield High boys’ tennis team beat guest Masconomet, 4-1, at Lynnfield Middle School on May 25.

The win was the 15th-straight as the Pioneers finished up at 15-1, their lone loss coming to Division 1 power, St. John’s Prep, in the season opener on April 3.

“I was happy for the seniors as all three of them won,” said Pioneers head coach Joe Dunn. The three 12th-graders – Sahil Akhter, Rafik Khodr and Avi Shrivastava – were honored before the match.

At first singles, Dan Levin won, 6-0, 6-0, while Shea McCarthy also won, 6-0, 6-0, at second singles. Sklok Kudrimoti lost at third singles as he fell 6-1,,7-6 (7-4 in the tiebreaker).

In doubles play, the first team of Russell Kasdon and Khodr won, 6-4, 6-1 while the second team of Akhter and Shrivastara won in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

“It is very important that we continue to play Masconomet each year,” pointed out Dunn, as Masco left the Cape Ann League three years ago. “They are also in a higher division than us.”

The Chieftains, who are now in the Northeastern Conference, will also be in the state tournament as they are a Division 2 team.

On May 23, the Pioneers blanked visiting Swampscott, 5-0, in another non-league match. The Big Blue, who are another Northeastern Conference school, are one division higher than the Pioneers and are also heading to states.

“This match was closer than the final score indicates,” pointed out Dunn. “They played us very tough.”

Levin needed three sets to win as he lost the first one 6-7 (5-7 in the tiebreaker). He then won the next two sets, 6-2, 6-4.

McCarthy won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0, at second singles. Kudrimoti also won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, at number three.

Kasdon and Khodr won with matching 6-2 scores. The second team of Brendan Sokop and Raffi Arkun won, 6-4, 6-0.

Lynnfield, who won the Cape Ann League Kinney Division title again this spring, finished third in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings.

The Pioneers will host Mashpee in the opening round on Thursday, June 1, time to be announced as of press time. Mashpee is the 30th-seed as they enter the match with a 3-13 record.

If the Pioneers win that one, they will host the winner of the No. 14 Bourne (9-10) vs. No. 19 Rockport (7-9) match in the Round of 16.