CO-CAPTAIN Haley Tanner won three matches in a row against Melrose on Wednesday and Stoneham on Thursday and Friday. (Donna Larsson File Photo)
Published in the May 21, 2018 edition.
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — The WMHS girls’ tennis team knew last week was vital for a multitude of reasons. Most importantly, they would get a chance against Freedom Division rivals to improve their record.
The Warriors responded by going 3-1 with wins against Melrose on Wednesday and two over Stoneham on Thursday and Friday to bring their record to 6-8.
“My girls are on fire,” said head coach Kathy Healey. “They are just so focused on winning and playing really well.”
The Warriors beat Melrose on the road at the Crystal Street Courts, 4-1. Wakefield’s singles players began an impressive stretch that would continue against the Spartans over the next two matches. Against the Red Raiders, Haley Tanner won at first singles, 6-2, 6-0. Olivia Dziadyk didn’t lose a game at second singles as she swept her opponent, 6-0, 6-0. At third singles, Laura McGovern won 6-2 in the first set and held off Melrose’s Emma Bates in the second set, 6-4.
Wakefield’s second doubles team got the last victory as freshmen Hannah Guay and Erica Pecjo earned a hard-fought 6-4, 6-2 win. Wakefield swept Melrose this year as they had previously bested their rivals on April 24.
Wakefield’s first of two against Stoneham took place on the road on Thursday. The Warriors won 4-1.
The same four as the Melrose match won against Stoneham on Thursday, as Tanner (6-1, 6-0), Dziadyk (6-1, 6-0) and McGovern (6-1, 6-0) continued their excellent seasons at singles and Guay and Pecjo were victorious once again at second doubles, 6-1, 6-0.
Coming back to the friendly confines of Dobbins Courts on Friday, the Warriors showed no signs of fatigue as they won their third match in three days with a convincing 5-0 shutout against the Spartans.
Seniors Kelsey Callanan and Emily Roberts were victorious at first doubles as they controlled their opponents, 6-1, 6-0.
Guay and Pecjo continued to play great tennis as they cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 sweep.
The Warriors shook up the singles lineup a little as sophomore Sarah Margerison stepped in and won at third singles 6-3, 6-1.
McGovern moved up to second singles where she won 6-2, 6-1 and Tanner also won her third straight match, this time by a score of 6-0, 6-0.
Wakefield will travel to league-best Winchester today. They will host Watertown tomorrow in the last match of the season.
