Published in the April 20, 2016 edition
JUNIOR Sarah Mezini won the Cape Ann League Open’s first singles tournament at Ipswich High School April 16. Mezini did not lose a single game during the tournament. (Dan Tomasello File Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
IPSWICH — The girls’ tennis team won the Cape Ann League Open at Ipswich High School April 16.
The Pioneers won four out of five events and concluded the tournament with 28 points. Lynnfield was the runner-up in the only match the locals did not win. North Reading finished second with 14 points. Amesbury, Manchester-Essex and Newburyport tied for third with eight points apiece.
Junior Sarah Mezini was crowned as first singles champion during the CAL Open. She began the tournament defeating Manchester-Essex’s Bridget Miller 8-0. Mezini defeated Newburyport’s Emily DeKanter 8-0 in the semifinals. She defeated Amesbury’s Abbie Sartori 8-0 in the finals.
“It’s impressive that Mezini did not lose a game in the entire tournament,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone.
Junior Katie Nevils won the CAL Open’s second singles competition. She began the tournament defeating Newburyport’s Andrea Samuelson 8-1. She defeated Manchester-Essex’ August Kahle 8-3 in the semifinals. She defeated North Reading’s Tia Campagna 8-2 in the finals.
Stone noted Nevils played a tight match against Campagna early in the week but led the finals match from start to finish.
Senior captain Amanda Stelman was the runner-up in the third singles tournament. She began the tournament defeating Pentucket’s Haley Palermo 8-2. She defeated Hamilton-Wenham’s Nell Couses 8-4 in the semifinals. Stelman fell 8-6 to North Reading’s Ally Budny in the finals.
“Stelman battled Budney in a tight match and was all tied up at 6-6 at one point,” said Stone.
Senior captain Olivia Skelley and junior Camie Foley won the first doubles tournament. Skelley and Foley began the tournament defeating North Reading’s first doubles tandem of Megan Landers and Emily Zhang 8-1. Skelley and Foley defeated Newburyport’s first doubles team consisting of Kaili Blazon and Emma Filipancic 8-1 in the semifinals. Skelley and Foley defeated Amesbury’s Kim Croce and Phoebe Winder 8-3 in the finals.
“Skelley and Foley look to be a very formidable team this season,” said Stone.
The second doubles team consisting of juniors Rachel Strout and Laura Mucci were crowned as champions in their first varsity match. Strout and Mucci defeated Newburyport’s first doubles team 8-4 in the first round of the tournament. Strout and Mucci defeated Pentucket’s Emily Stys and Anika Ellis 8-1 in the semifinals. In the finals, Strout and Mucci rallied from a 2-5 deficit to defeat Manchester-Essex’ Whitney Johnson and Andrea Rennis 8-6.
“(Strout and Mucci) ran off six consecutive games for the win,” said Stone.
Stone commended the Pioneers’ performance in the CAL Open.
“It was another windy and cold day at Ipswich but the players put the conditions behind them and played great tennis,” said Stone. “The tournament is a sneak peek into the season ahead as all the league players gather in the same place at the same time.”
Defeats North Reading
The Pioneers (3-0) began last week defeating North Reading 4-1 on April 11. The match was a rematch of last year’s Division 3 North Finals, which Lynnfield prevailed 5-0.
Mezini defeated her first singles counterpart in two sets, 6-0, 6-1.
“Mezini was impressive,” said Stone. “She was hitting winners from all over the court.”
Nevils defeated her second singles opponent in two sets, 6-3, 6-4.
“Nevils won a tight first set, went down 0-3 in the second and battled back,” said Stone. “True grit.”
Stelman lost her third singles match in two sets, 4-6, 3-6.
“Stelman was up 4-1 and lost the first,” said Stone. “She was down 0-3 and battled back, but too little, too late. She showed a lot of potential.”
Skelley and Foley defeated their first doubles opponents in two sets, 6-2, 6-0. The second doubles team featuring juniors Katie Nugent and Allison Carey defeated their counterparts in two sets, 6-1, 6-0.
“Skelley and Foley teamed together for the first time and were very impressive, while Nugent and Carey had little trouble as well,” said Stone.
Stone commended the Pioneers’ performance against North Reading despite the windy and cold conditions.
“The conditions were less than ideal but we stayed focused and played to win,” said Stone. “I was pleased with the result but more impressed with the potential for the future.”
Defeat Amesbury
The Pioneers defeated Amesbury 5-0 April 13.
Mezini defeated her first singles opponent in two sets, 6-2, 6-1. Nevils defeated her second singles opponent in two sets, 6-1, 6-0. Stelman cruised to a two set victory during third singles, prevailing 6-0, 6-3.
The first doubles team consisting of Skelley and Nugent defeated their counterparts in two sets, 6-1, 6-0.
The second doubles team featuring Nugent and senior Hayley Timmons won their match in two sets, 6-0, 6-1.
“We played a lot of tennis,” said Stone. We brought 24 players and Amesbury had 40. Varsity led from start to finish. Both Carey and Timmons are interchangeable and will both see a lot of playing time. JV played at a separate site under the supervision of Amesbury’s assistant coach and had a lot of court time, which was fantastic as often teams only carry 12-15 players and JV time is limited.”
Upcoming matches
The Pioneers hosted Manchester-Essex on Monday, April 18, taking place after deadline. Lynnfield travels to Pentucket on Wednesday, April 20, beginning at 10 a.m. The locals host Masconomet on Tuesday, April 26, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
