CAPTAINS, from left, Leticia Marafon, Maddie Sieve and Paige Martino will be leading the girls’ tennis team this spring. (Dan Tomasello Photo)

After press time: Lynnfield defeats Ipswich 4-1 (April 10)

 

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The girls’ tennis team is back on the court, and is looking to qualify for the state tournament for the 41st straight year.

The Pioneers concluded last season with a 15-7 record. Lynnfield advanced to the Division 4 Final Four, but the third seeded Pioneers fell 4-1 to archrival Manchester-Essex in the state semifinals.

Lynnfield head coach Craig Stone said the Pioneers have a strong nucleus returning to the court this spring.

“We are returning six out of seven starters, but we lost our second singles co-captain Genna Gioioso,” said Stone. “There will be a shift in the starting lineup.” 

Three captains will be leading the Pioneers this season, including junior Paige Martino. Stone said Martino, who concluded last season with a 17-3 record, will be playing first singles once again.

“Paige is an all-court player who was one of the top players in the Cape Ann League and the state last season,” said Stone. “She works on her game all year long.”

Senior captain Maddie Sieve, who concluded last season with a 13-6 record, will be playing third singles once again this spring.

“Maddie relies on her baseline game and competitive attitude,” said Stone. “She will battle you to the last point is played.”

Senior captain Leticia Marafon, who concluded last season with an 11-9 record, will be playing first doubles.

“Leticia has been a doubles player for the last four years, and has become a scholar of the game,” said Stone. “She is a quarterback out there and can dominate the doubles court.”

Junior Ella Hayman will be Marafon’s partner at first doubles.

“Ella played a couple of matches with Leticia last year, and has easily settled in at first doubles with her complimentary style of play,” said Stone.

Sophomore Lily Alves will be playing second singles this season.

“Lily started last season at second doubles, moved up to first doubles and has taken another jump this year,” said Stone. “Her athletic ability and all-court game has allowed her to make such a jump in just two years of play.”

Sophomore Vicky McCrann and freshman Emma Wagon have formed a new second doubles team this season.

“Vicky worked her way into the starting lineup last year and is dominant at the net,” said Stone. “Emma has cracked the starting lineup currently. Although the season is young, her younger experiences with tennis have given her a leg up currently.”

Stone said junior Parminder Saini, junior Bella Nguyen, sophomore Sonia Kumar, sophomore Nandana Nishanth and sophomore Fiona Asaad round out the Pioneers’ core.

“Our depth will make for very competitive practices and the players are very capable of working their way into starting lineup,” said Stone. “An additional 10 players are also available and gaining more experience each day.”

Stone said the Pioneers have to work on “consistency, flexibility within their own style of play, and mental and physical toughness.”

Upcoming matches

The Pioneers traveled to Newburyport on Tuesday, April 9, taking place after deadline. Lynnfield hosts Ipswich on Wednesday, April 10, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Pioneers travel to Beverly on Thursday, April 11, beginning at 3:30 p.m.