UPDATE: Girls’ tennis splits next four after stinging Hornets and dethroning Knights

 

 

 

After press time:
Lynnfield falls to Newburyport 4-1 (May 18)
Lynnfield defeats Pentucket 4-1 (May 15)
Lynnfield falls to Beverly 4-1 (May 14)
Lynnfield defeats Amesbury 5-0 (May 13)

 

Published May 15, 2024

 

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The girls’ tennis team won two matches and lost one last week.

Lynnfield (7-3) defeated North Reading 4-1 on May 10.

Captain Paige Martino defeated her first singles opponent in two sets, 6-4, 6-1.

“Paige and her opponent exchanged heavy topspin groundstrokes in the first set, with Paige gaining the advantage at 4-3 and holding on for a 6-4 first set win,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone. “Paige jumped out early in the second set with her steady play to win the match.”

Sophomore Lily Alves dismantled her second singles counterpart in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3.

“Lily rolled during the first set,” said Stone. “Her opponent played a much more consistent second set, but it was not enough.”

Senior captain Maddie Sieve lost a hard-fought third singles match in three sets. After winning the first set 6-3, Sieve lost the second set 2-6 and fell 4-6 during the third set.

Senior captain Leticia Marafon and junior Ella Hayman won their first doubles match in three sets. Marafon and Hayman won the first set 6-0, lost the second set 4-6 and prevailed 6-0 during the third set.

“Leticia and Ella ran the table in the first set,” said Stone. “They fought from behind during the second set, but could not catch up. Leticia and Ella ran the tables again in the third set to get the win.”

Sophomore Vicky McCrann and freshman Emma Wagon won their second doubles match in two sets, 6-1, 6-4.

“Vicky and Emma are starting to gel as a team, combining strong net play with a mixture of groundstrokes and lobs,” said Stone.

Stone said the Pioneers played very well against North Reading.

“Lynnfield jumped out to a 2-0 lead with singles’ wins from Paige and Lily,” said Stone. “However, the match was still in doubt with a battle going on at third singles and first doubles, and a long two-setter at second doubles. Vicky and Emma finished ahead of Maddie and first doubles to give the Pioneers the third team point. It’s always a competitive match when we get together with North Reading. They have three-point potential, and the rematch on May 23 will prove just as competitive.”

Conquers Knights

The Pioneers defeated North Andover 4-1 on May 9.

Martino dismantled her first singles opponent in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.

Alves earned a two-set victory during second doubles, prevailing 6-4, 6-3.

“Lily jumped out to a 3-0 lead before her opponent settled down,” said Stone. “Both players battled for every point. Fortunately Lily, up 4-3 in both sets, played better at crunch time.”

Sieve won her third singles match in a three-set thriller. After losing the first set 4-6, Sieve bounced back and won the second set 6-2. She prevailed 6-2 during the third set.

McCrann and Hayman lost their first doubles match in two sets, 1-6, 5-7.

Wagon and junior Parminder Saini defeated their second doubles opponents in three sets. Wagon and Saini won the first set 6-4, fell 2-6 during the second set and earned a hard-fought 6-4 third set victory.

Stone said the Pioneers’ match against the Scarlet Knights was very competitive.

“The match was tied 1-1 with Paige getting the win at first singles and North Andover taking first doubles,” said Stone. “Both Maddie and second doubles had split sets, and were entering the third set with the team match up for grabs. Maddie gave us the third point and second doubles followed with the fourth point. Looking back, the team match could have gone to North Andover, a Division 1 team, who qualifies for the state tournament every year. However, our players played a little tougher at crunch time to give us the win. We focus on WIN (what’s important now) and try not to let what has happened previously, or what could happen next influence our play. What is important is the next point. It is difficult to do, but necessary to be successful.”

Falls to Manchester-Essex

The Pioneers were edged 3-2 by rival Manchester-Essex on May 6.

Martino dispatched her first singles counterpart in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.

Alves won a two-set victory during second singles, prevailing 6-0, 6-1.

“Lynnfield jumped out to a 2-1 lead with both Paige and Lily controlling play with great depth and direction on their groundstrokes,” said Stone.

Sieve dropped her third singles match in two sets, 1-6, 2-6.

Marafon and Hayman lost their first doubles match in straight sets, 0-6, 2-6.

McCrann and Wagon fell 0-6, 1-6 during second doubles.

Stone said the Pioneers gave a valiant effort against the Hornets. He recalled that Manchester-Essex fell to Hamilton-Wenham in the Division 4 state finals last year.

“Manchester-Essex beat us 3-2 in the Final Four last year,” said Stone. “We are playing these talented teams even, but we just need to convert the big points. We just need to do more with our volleys, get better depth and direction on our groundstrokes and keep unforced errors to a minimum with our shot selection. But, on the positive side, we have the talent to do all of that and we will continue to work towards it.”

Upcoming matches

The Pioneers faced Amesbury on Monday, May 13, taking place after deadline. Lynnfield hosts Pentucket on Wednesday, May 15, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Pioneers travel to Newburyport on Saturday, May 18, taking place at 10 a.m. at the Atkinson Common Tennis Courts.