Published June 30, 2021
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
WESTON — In 2018 and 2019, the Lynnfield High boys’ tennis season was ended by Weston in the Division 3 North State Tournament. Weston beat them in the North finals in 2018 and in the North semifinals the year after. Both scores were 3-2 finals.
The two schools met again last Friday afternoon in the North Final at Weston High. Again, the Wildcats won as they blanked the Pioneers 5-0.
With the win, top-seeded Weston improved to 15-0 while the second-seeded Pioneers finished at 13-1.
“They are very strong from top to bottom,” stated Lynnfield head coach Joe Dunn. “They should win the state title again like they did two years ago.”
Junior co-captain Harrison Luba lost at first singles, 6-3, 6-2 to Max Ding while Jamil Khodr at second singles, fell, 6-3, 6-0, to Ben Gilligan for his first loss of the year.
At third singles, freshman Dan Levin also suffered his first loss of 2021 as he lost, to Gauthier Bodet, 6-0, 6-1.
In doubles action, the team of juniors Dave Kasdon and Jason Yang lost, 6-0,. 6-0, to Mike Phillipkosky and Chris Coleman.
The second team of freshman Russell Kasdon and sophomore Rafik Khodr was shut out by Noah Gilligan and Magaus Starett, 6-0, 6-0.
In the semifinal round on June 23, the Pioneers shut out Hamilton-Wenham 5-0 at Lynnfield Middle School.
“I was surprised how easily we won because we beat them 4-1 in the regular season and some of those matches went three sets,” recalled Dunn, as all five matches went two sets.
Luba won 6-1, 6-0 over Will Gern as he was able to avenge a loss to Gern in the regular season. Jamil Khodr won 6-2, 6-1 over Quentin Wilkins as second singles.
Levin beat Colin Leary at third singles, 6-1, 6-0.
In doubles play, Dave Kasdon and Yang beat Sam Coves and Stefan Nesger, 6-4, 6-3, while Russell Kasdon and Rafik Khodr knocked off Max Clarke and Jackson Contois with matching 6-3 scores. The third-seeded Generals ended the year at 11-2.
