Published in the June 15, 2016 edition
THE GIRLS’ TENNIS TEAM proudly displays its third straight Division 3 North championship trophy following the Pioneers’ 3-2 victory over Manchester-Essex June 10. Kneeling, from left, Katie Nugent, Hayley Timmons, Katie Nevils, Amanda Stelman, Olivia Skelley, Camie Foley and Sarah Mezini. Second row, from left, Rebecca Albanese, Ally D’Amico, Makayla Maffeo, Laura Mucci, Rachel Strout, Jenna Robbins and Daphne Terris. Third row, from left, head coach Craig Stone, Jocelyn Wang, Alexa Vittiglio, Amanda Motzkin, Allison Carey, Mariana Theophiles, Nicole Davie, Rachel Collins, Christina Albano, Bria Parziale, Danielle Douglas and Nina Dunn. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
BEVERLY — The dynasty marches on.
The girls’ tennis team won its third straight Division 3 North sectional title after the number one ranked Pioneers defeated third seed Manchester-Essex 3-2 in a thrilling two hour long match at Beverly High School June 10.
The Pioneers’ third straight D–3 North sectional title marks the 13th time the locals have won the sectional title in 24 trips to the finals over the past 36 years. Lynnfield has won sectional titles in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2014 and 2015 in addition to 2016.
“I am fortunate to coach in a community that values the sport of tennis and encourages players to continue to work hard during the offseason as well as during the season,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone. “We have been really, really lucky. There is an old adage out there that you are only as strong as your second doubles team and we are pretty strong at second doubles.”
Senior captain Olivia Skelley concurred with Stone’s sentiment.
“It’s amazing,” said Skelley. “I am extremely happy and I am just ready to play on Monday.”
Lynnfield took an early 1-0 lead after Skelley and junior Camie Foley defeated first doubles counterparts Bridget Miller and August Kahle in two sets, 6-1, 6-3.
“We were fired up and ready to go and we made it happen,” said Skelley. “We are happy we were able to contribute to the team.”
The Pioneers took a commanding 2-0 lead after the second doubles tandem of senior Hayley Timmons and junior Katie Nugent defeated Jessie Miller and Sally Pulver in two sets, 6-0, 6-2.
Stone praised both doubles teams’ performance against Manchester-Essex.
“We play an aggressive style of doubles,” said Stone. “Teams are going to struggle against us unless they do the same thing and do it better than us.”
With a 2-0 lead, senior captain Amanda Stelman secured the Pioneers’ third straight Division 3 North sectional title after she defeated counterpart Sophia Schatz in two sets, 6-2, 6-2.
“It’s great,” said Stelman. “This team is awesome and I love everybody on it. It’s been a really fun experience.”
Stone said he was thrilled Stelman secured the locals’ third straight sectional title after the captain lost a hard fought three set match to North Reading’s Ally Budny in the semifinals.
“I am so pleased Amanda had the opportunity to get that third point,” said Stone. “It goes to show that, as we say on the wrestling mat, you have to keep grinding. “
Junior Katie Nevils lost a hard fought three set match in second singles to Christina Bullock. After losing the first set 6-7(6), Nevils won the second set 6-1. Nevils lost the third set in a super tiebreaker, 5-10.
Stone said he was pleased with Nevils’ performance against the Hornets.
“Katie went from the doubles court to the singles court and she has had an outstanding season,” said Stone. “She is such a good athlete. She just gets stronger as the matches go on.”
Junior Sarah Mezini lost her first dual match of the season to Manchester-Essex’s Chanel Bullock in first singles. After winning the first set 6-2, Mezini lost sets two and three 4-6 and 4-6 respectively.
“Although Sarah came up short today, she has had her day many days over the course of the season and the course of her career,” said Stone. “Sarah has very high expectations because she is capable of playing at a high level. She adapted her game at the end when she was down 5-2. She played a much more steady, defensive-type of game and got it to 5-4.”
The Pioneers’ only loss of the regular season was a 4-1 loss to Manchester-Essex April 18. Lynnfield was missing most of its starting line in that contest due to school vacation week.
“I am pleased we were able to have the rematch with our full line-up intact,” said Stone. “We had a shot at five points coming in and as it appeared on the court, we still had a shot at five points. When you go into any match knowing you only have to win three out of five, you feel pretty optimistic. I was pretty optimistic coming in because of the level of tennis we are capable of playing. I really liked our match-ups.”
When asked how many times the Pioneers have faced Manchester-Essex in the finals since Stone started coaching the locals in 1981, Stone commented, “Put it this way, there has not been a Cape Ann League team in the finals other than Manchester or us since back in the 1980s when Pentucket had such a strong program.”
