THE MHS girls tennis team had a quality win over Stoneham this week, 4-1. Pictured in doubles play is Lexi Miller. (photo by Grace Gentile)
After press time:
Melrose falls to Lexington 5-0 (April 26)
Melrose defeats Watertown 3-2 (April 25)
Published April 26, 2024
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—It was a great day for tennis on Monday, April 22 when the Melrose High girls’ tennis team prevailed over neighboring Stoneham in a 4-1 victory at home at the Lyons Court which improves them to 3-3 on the season overall and 2-1 in the ML Freedom League.
“Starting with a win against them will hopefully set the tone for the rest of the season,” says Melrose head coach Lydia Mays. “Last year, we won once against Stoneham and lost once.”
Melrose prevailed in two of their three singles play matches. Coming in victorious were Ava Picone in first singles, 6-1, 6-3 and Tess Isakson in third singles, 6-1, 6-1. Falling just shy in second singles was Mary Atkinson.
In doubles work, both teams came up winning, with first doubles team Lara Flank Contin and Kunsang Wogthing taking it 6-0, 6-0. And in second doubles, Aura Machanic and Lexi Miller prevailed, 6-0 and 6-1.Among those who stood out against Stoneham was the first doubles team made up of Lara Flank Contin and Captain Kunsang Wogthing. Says coach Mays, “They both have played on the team for four years and their maturity and skills on the court is what often leads the team to success. I love this dynamic duo because they work incredibly well together and they lead the team on and off the court.”
As they reach mid point of the season, Melrose will see some steep competition in the coming days, including Arlington and Lexington. But they hope to take a solid grip against Freedom League competition which resumes in a week when they face Wilmington at home on May 1.
“Our matches this year have either been an easy win or we’ve lost by a lot,” says the coach. “I would like to see the team win in a close match against a strong opponent.”
