Published in the June 15, 2016 edition
JUNIOR Katie Nevils lost her second singles match to Martha’s Vineyard’s Kelly Klaren in two sets, 1-6, 0-6, during the Pioneers’ 4-1 loss to the Vineyarders in the Division 3 state semifinals Monday. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
NEWTON — The girls’ tennis team’s season came to an end on Monday, when the Division 3 North sectional champion Pioneers fell 4-1 to D-3 South sectional champion Martha’s Vineyard in the state semifinals at Newton North High School.
The Pioneers, fresh off winning its third straight D-3 North sectional title, finished the season with an overall record of 19-2. Lynnfield’s loss to Martha’s Vineyard was a rematch of last year’s state semifinals, which the Vineyarders won 3-2.
“I would like to be going home with the win but everybody gave 100 percent out there and you can never find fault in effort,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone. “Lynnfield tennis is a priority for each of them and they work on it both during the season and in the offseason. It’s a tribute to them.”
The Pioneers’ only victory against Martha’s Vineyard came in second doubles. Senior Hayley Timmons and junior Katie Nugent defeated counterparts Amadine Muniz and Nuun Eksiri in two sets, 6-4, 6-3.
Stone noted Timmons and Nugent, who advanced to the quarterfinals in the Sectional Doubles Tournament this spring, finished the season undefeated.
“(Timmons and Nugent) have played much more aggressively during the course of the season, which I think came down to the magnitude of the match,” said Stone. “They got a little conservative because they haven’t had too many tight matches. The mark of a good player or team is being able to win one when you are not playing that well and they were able to do that. They had a super year.”
In first doubles, senior captain Olivia Skelley and junior Camie Foley lost their match to the Vineyarders’ tandem of Lizzie Williamson and Victoria Scott in two sets, 2-6, 2-6.
“(Williamson and Scott) were the South Sectional Individual Tournament champs,” said Stone. “Olivia and Camie had a little bit of trouble with the pace. They hit the ball hard and serve extremely well. I don’t think Olivia and Camie had their best day but the Martha’s Vineyard team played very well.”
The Vineyarders took a 2-0 lead after junior Katie Nevils lost her second singles match to Kelly Klaren in two sets, 1-6, 0-6.
Trailing 2-1, senior captain Amanda Stelman gave a valiant effort in third singles but came up short to Camilla Prata in two sets, 4-6, 1-6.
“Amanda had trouble with her opponent’s style and (Prata) didn’t do anything to hurt herself,” said Stone. “Amanda served well in the first set, but (Prata) played flawless tennis. When you are down 2-1 and you know there are only two points left on the court and you have to get the win to keep the team in it, it creates extra pressure.”
Junior Sarah Mezini lost her first singles match to Kat Roberts in three sets. After Mezini won the first set 6-4, Roberts stormed back to win the second set 6-4. Mezini lost her third set 3-10 in a super tiebreaker.
Stone commended the Pioneers’ performance against Martha’s Vineyard.
“We talk all year that it doesn’t come down to one particular person or position,” said Stone. “You need three points out there to win a match and those points are going to come from different positions over the course of the year. When you come this close, you want to take it a step further. It’s disappointing that we were not able to, but we were in a position that a lot of teams have not been in and we have been in this position a number of times. I get a lot of satisfaction from that.”
Stone said he enjoyed coaching the Pioneers immensely this spring.
“They are awesome,” said Stone. “They work hard and are committed to the sport. It’s a high priority for them and it’s a pleasure working with them.”
Stone continued, “We had another outstanding season (19-2) finishing with our third consecutive Division III North Sectional Championship. We graduated three senior starters and returned just as competitive and successful as the previous year which would make any coach extremely happy. All the players were committed to working hard during the season, improving their individual games and making the team as successful as possible.”
The Pioneers will be saying goodbye to eight seniors this season: Skelley, Stelman, Timmons, Marina Theophiles, Nicole Davie, Alexandra D’Amico, Kristina Cushing and Joycelyn Wang.
The coach said, “Our seniors graduate this year with a four year varsity team record of 71-6, and topped it all off with two league, three sectional and a state championship over that time period.”
Captain Olivia Skelley, Stone said, was a four year letter winner and starter, and a four year CAL All Star, which had never been done in the history of LHS tennis. She finishes her career with a 60-7 regular season and team tournament record, placing ninth all time in the history of past players.
Captain Amanda Stelman was also a four year letter winner and starter for the past two years.
Hayley Timmons was a two year letter winner, a starter this year and finished this season with an undefeated 16-0 record.
Mariana Theophiles, Nicole Davie, Ally D’Amico, Kristina Cushing and Jocelyn Wang all played in varsity matches this season as well, the coach said.
He continued, “This is the largest senior class of players that we have had since I have been coaching. All eight players were team members for the past four years.”
Lynnfield will have a strong nucleus coming back next year including Mezini, Nevils, Foley and Nugent. Stone said he expects the Pioneers will be in the hunt for another sectional and state championship, just like Martha’s Vineyard.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we are back again next year in the same situation,” joked Stone.
