THIRD singles player Izzy Figucia bounced back to defeat her Manchester-Essex opponent 6-2, 6-1 on Thursday after a tough three-set loss to Masconomet, 6-2, 6-7, 0-6. (Maureen Doherty Photo)

THIRD singles player Izzy Figucia bounced back to defeat her Manchester-Essex opponent 6-2, 6-1 on Thursday after a tough three-set loss to Masconomet, 6-2, 6-7, 0-6. (Maureen Doherty Photo)

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The girls’ tennis team went undefeated last week, improving the Pioneers’ overall record this season to 5-0.

The Pioneers defeated North Andover 5-0 on Tuesday, April 14 in a non-league match.

Sophomore Sarah Mezini defeated her first singles opponent in two sets, 6-2, 6-4. Senior captain Kelley Nevils pulled out a decisive two set victory during second singles, prevailing 6-2, 6-0. Senior captain Izzy Figucia defeated her third singles opponent in two sets, 6-1, 6-4.

Junior Olivia Skelley and Katie Nevils defeated their first doubles counterparts in two sets, 6-2, 6-1. Sophomores Carmie Foley and Katie Nugent cruised to a two set victory in second doubles, prevailing 7-5, 6-2.

“North Andover left the Cape Ann League three years ago,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone. “They have always been a competitive program and I am glad we were able to put the match together. Hopefully, we will be able to continue in future years. It is difficult to find programs that have room in their schedule for non-league matches due to their league commitments.”

Edges Masco

The Pioneers faced their toughest competition this season on Wednesday, April 15, when Lynnfield pulled out a narrow 3-2 win over Masconomet.

Mezini came out on top of first singles in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0. Kelley Nevils secured a decisive two set victory during second singles, prevailing 6-1, 6-1.

Figucia lost a hard fought three set battle during third singles. After winning the first set 6-2, Figucia lost sets two and three, 6-7 and 0-6, respectively.

In first doubles, Skelley and Katie Nevils were victorious in two sets, 6-1, 6-3, which clinched the Pioneers’ victory over Masco.

The second doubles tandem of senior Rachel Maglio and junior Amanda Stelman lost their match in three sets. Maglio and Stelman won the first set 6-2, lost the second set 3-6 and fell 3-6 during the third set.

“Lynnfield led 2-0 after wins at first and second singles,” said Stone. “We need to have more matches like this to better prepare us for tournament time.”

Defeats Manchester

The Pioneers concluded last week defeating archrival Manchester-Essex 4-1 in a non-league match on Thursday, April 16.

Mezini dispatched her first singles opponent in two sets, 6-3, 6-1, which improved her record this season to 5-0.

Kelley Nevils lost her second singles match, which lasted two-and-a-half hours, in three sets. After Kelley Nevils won the first set 6-3, she lost the second set 6-7 and lost the super tiebreaker 6-10 because the match was already decided.

Figucia regrouped after a hard fought loss the day before against Masco and defeated her third singles opponent in two sets, 6-2, 6-1.

Skelley and Katie Nevils secured a two set victory during first doubles, prevailing 6-4, 6-2 after a slow start. Maglio and Stelman cruised past their second doubles opponents in two sets, 6-3, 6-2.

“Figucia, Maglio and Stelman bounced back from tough three set losses the day before to win in convincing style,” said Stone. “This was a non-league match, the league match will be played when we return from vacation. Manchester is a very strong team, so playing them twice this year gives us an opportunity to have another competitive match on the schedule.”

Upcoming games

The Pioneers faced Amesbury on Monday, April 20, taking place after deadline. The locals travel to Triton on Monday, April 27, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Lynnfield hosts Manchester-Essex on Wednesday, April 29, beginning at 3:45 p.m. The Pioneers host Swampscott on Friday, May 1, beginning at 3:30 p.m.