Published in the November 22, 2016 edition
GIRLS’ TENNIS star Sarah Mezini (second from left) signed her letter of intent with UMass-Amherst while being flanked by, from left, girls’ tennis head coach Craig Stone and parents Klediena and Erlir Mezini. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Lynnfield High School senior Sarah Mezini has a well-earned reputation for being one of the most talented high school tennis players in the state for the past three years.
Now her hard work is starting to pay dividends.
Mezini signed a letter of intent to continue her tennis career at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on Nov. 17. She was joined at the ceremony with her parents, Erlir and Klediena Mezini, girls’ tennis head coach Craig Stone and high school principal Bob Cleary. Mezini’s closest friends — Toni DiGiovanni, Lindsay Kenyon, Tia Johnson, Brianna Weir, Alyssa Stelman, Olivia Pascucci and Morgan Roccia — attended the ceremony as well.
The tennis star was smiling from ear-to-ear throughout the brief ceremony.
“I am very excited,” said Mezini in an interview with the Villager. “I wanted to go to UMass because the team is good, they have the majors I wanted and they gave me a full scholarship. That sealed the deal for me.”
Stone said he’s thrilled Mezini will be playing tennis at a highly regarded Division 1 college with a great program.
“I am really excited,” said Stone. “She wanted to play Division 1.
“It worked out she will have that opportunity right here in Massachusetts. It’s just a couple of hours away and UMass has the majors she is interested in. It will be nice that her family and friends will still be involved. She is going to have the opportunity to play top notch tennis on a regular basis.”
Mezini, who will be studying pre-med or pharmacy, also considered bringing her talents to Bentley University, Fairfield University, Providence College and Stonehill College. After careful consideration and deliberation, Mezini committed to UMass earlier this month.
Since Mezini first joined the girls’ tennis team in the spring of 2014, she has helped the Pioneers become one of the best teams in Division 3. The Pioneers won the last three Division 3 North sectional titles and were crowned state champions in 2014. She has guided the Pioneers to a 51-4 regular season record and a 66-7 overall record the past three years.
Mezini has started at first singles the past three years and will once again be starting at first singles this spring, where she will serve as a co-captain. She has been named a Cape Ann League All-Star three times and was named CAL player of the year in 2015 and 2016. She is a three-time North Sectional Singles Tournament quarterfinalist.
The tennis star attributed her success on the court to her work ethic.
“When I am not playing during the season, I practice with my dad every day,” said Mezini. “I play indoors with him and outdoors with him. I play at Northeast Tennis Club, and I will go there and play with my friends and play with my dad.”
Mezini started playing tennis with her father when she was 6 years old.
“I used to have a tennis court in the front yard of my old house in Revere,” said Mezini. “I was really young and lived in that house for two years. When I lived there, my dad and I decided to play some tennis one day. We went out there and I realized I was pretty good. Ever since then, I have been practicing every single day. When I moved to Lynnfield, I started playing at Boston Sports Club with my dad every day.”
Mezini said she has high hopes for the upcoming tennis season.
“My goal for the final hurrah is winning the North title and state championship,” said Mezini. “It would be nice to win it all freshman year and senior year.”
Cleary said Mezini’s achievements on the court illustrate what hard work can accomplish.
“It’s a real treat,” said Cleary. “It’s great to see kids who have worked this hard get rewarded for it. Our coaching staff is excellent and our athletic program is pretty strong. It allows kids with this kind of talent to come in, blossom and take their abilities to the highest level.”
Cleary noted many student-athletes find playing athletics at private high schools in higher divisions “pretty attractive,” but said there is no place like home.
“There is an attraction to playing for your hometown team because that is where your friends are,” said Cleary. “Seeing kids stick it out is nice to see.”
