Published June 24, 2021
By DAN NUNN
PEABODY — After their previous match against Newburyport was cancelled due to rain, the NRHS boys’ tennis team returned to the court to take on the 10-0 Lynnfield Pioneers on June 15. The CAL Kinney Division champions flexed their muscles with a 5-0 sweep.
“I thought the team showed a lot of heart today,” said head coach Mark Bisognano. “I knew we were in for a tough match; there’s a reason that they (Lynnfield) are undefeated. They are talented and deep and it showed today but I thought everybody showed a lot of fight and despite the loss I liked the way we played.”
Roman Ton came into the match 8-0 at third singles, but he hadn’t played the Lynnfield third singles player. Unfortunately, his undefeated opponent overpowered him enroute to a 5-7, 3-6 straight set win.
The first doubles pair of Adin Shore and Jonathan Park started out on fire jumping out to a 5-3 lead in the first set. Unfortunately, the Pioneers rallied and took the match 5-7, 2-6.
Jonathan Belinowiz lost 2-6, 2-6 at first singles. Jordan Hemley was bested 1-6, 4-6 by Lynnfield’s unbeaten second singles player. Second doubles lost 2-6, 1-6 to yet another undefeated grouping.
Conquer Crusaders in 1st round
The Hornets opened state tournament play with a tidy 4-1 win over Bishop Fenwick in the First Round of the Division 3 North Sectional Playoff on June 18.
Chris Mangano and Ryan Kay took care of their opponents quickly at second doubles 6-1, 6-0. Shore and Park continued their strong play with their third victory in their last four matches 6-0, 6-2.
At second singles, Hemley clinched the win. He stormed out to a 4-1 lead in the first set, but his opponent won the next four games to take a 5-4 lead. Hemley was able to turn the momentum and he won the next three games and the set. The second set went to Hemley 6-3.
Third singles was the longest match. Ton won the first set 6-2 but dropped the second set 6-3. When he went to the third set, the overall score was still in doubt. Ton came out on top in the third 6-2.
At first singles, Belinowiz ran into an opponent with a huge serve and forehand who won 6-2, 6-4. The Hornets moved on to the quarterfinals of the Div. 3 North Tournament on Monday where they met Lynnfield once again. The Pioneers won the third matchup of the season between the two teams 5-0. Lynnfield played CAL foe Hamilton-Wenham (11-1) in the semifinals on Wednesday after press time.
