THE SECOND doubles duo of Rachel Maglio (left) and Amanda Stelman play deep against their opponents. They lost to the Sachems in a close three set match on May 4, but the Pioneers defeated Pentucket 4-1 and remain undefeated. (Maureen Doherty File Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ tennis team continued dismantling the competition last week as the Pioneers went undefeated once again.
The Pioneers (12-0) began last week defeating Pentucket 4-1 on May 4.
Sophomore Sarah Mezini defeated first singles opponent Nicole Downey, the 2014 Cape Ann League Player of the Year and a Boston Globe All Scholastic Player, in two sets, 6-3, 7-5. Mezini was trailing Downey 4-1 in the second set when she won six out of the next seven games to win the second set 7-5.
“(Mezini) is playing such tough physical and mental tennis at this time,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone. “She will be very hard to beat. I look forward to seeing how she does in the State Individual Tournament this year that begins May 16.”
Senior captain Kelley Nevils defeated her second singles opponent in two sets, 6-3, 6-2. Senior captain Izzy Figucia pulled out a two set victory during third singles, 6-1, 6-3.
“Kelley and Figucia led throughout their matches,” said Stone. “Nevils, who can play both offense and defense, finds a way to win each time out. Figucia is a tennis backboard and wears you out mentally and physically.”
Junior Olivia Skelley and sophomore Katie Nevils improved to 10-0 this season after they dispatched their first doubles opponents in two sets, 6-1, 6-0.
“Nevils and Skelley are quickly becoming one of the top doubles teams in the CAL,” said Stone.
In second doubles, senior Rachel Maglio and junior Amanda Stelman lost their match in three sets. They lost the first set 4-6, won the second set 6-4 and fell 3-6 during the third set.
Conquers Generals
The Pioneers defeated Hamilton-Wenham 5-0 on May 5. The match started before April vacation but it was suspended due to snow.
Mezini easily defeated her first singles opponent in two sets, 6-1, 6-0. Kelley Nevils defeated her second singles counterpart in two sets, 6-1, 6-0. Figucia cruised to a decisive victory during third singles in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.
“All three singles players led wire to wire,” said Stone.
Skelley and Katie Nevils improved to 11-0 this season after earning a hard fought victory during first doubles, 6-3, 6-3.
“First doubles had one of their tougher matches but still controlled both sets,” said Stone.
Seniors Melanie Richard and Kayla Collins earned an impressive victory during second doubles, prevailing 6-2, 6-4.
“The second doubles team of seniors Richard and Collins picked up their third varsity win this season,” said Stone.
Defeats Ipswich
The Pioneers kept rolling and crushed Ipswich 5-0 on May 6.
Kelley Nevils started at first singles in place of Mezini and defeated her Ipswich counterpart in two sets, 6-0, 6-1.
Katie Nevils moved up to second singles and cruised to a decisive two set victory, 6-0, 6-0.
Skelley started in place of Figucia at third singles and defeated her counterpart in two sets, 6-1, 6-2.
Sophomores Camie Foley and Katie Nugent were inserted into the line-up at first doubles and defeated their opponents in two sets, 6-3, 6-3.
Sophomore Allison Carey and junior Haley Timmons made their varsity debut at second doubles a “successful one” as they defeated their counterparts, 6-0, 6-3.
Upcoming matches
The Pioneers hosted archrival North Reading on Monday, May 11, taking place after deadline. The locals host Rockport on Wednesday, May 13, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Lynnfield hosts Austin Prep on Thursday, May 14, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The locals travel to Newburyport on Monday, May 18, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Pioneers host Marblehead on Wednesday, May 20, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
