THE PIONEERS lift up Dan Levin after the junior won a thrilling match at first singles to send Lynnfield onto the State Finals after a 3-2 win over Cohasset in the Div. 4 state semifinals at Newton North. (File Photo)

 

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

CAMBRIDGE — Last year, the Lynnfield High boys’ tennis team lost, 5-0, to Weston in the MIAA Division 4 state final at MIT in Cambridge.

This past Sunday, also at MIT, the teams met again for the state crown as the Pioneers were looking to avenge that loss.

However, the Wildcats proved to be too much again as they won 5-0. The match was delayed for an hour and played indoors due to the rain.

With the loss, the third-seeded Pioneers ended the year at 19-2. The top-seeded Wildcats finished its undefeated season going 21-0 as they won their sixth-straight state championship and second in a row at Division 4.

“They have a very strong team,” stated Lynnfield head coach Joe Dunn. “I would say that they are equal to St. John’s Prep.”

St. John’s Prep, who beat the Pioneers in the season opener, lost in the Division 1 state semifinals this year.

At first singles, Dan Levin lost to Max Ding, 6-3, 6-2, while Shea McCarthy fell, 6-4, 6-3, against Zach Regelman at second singles.

Sklok Kudrimoti was defeated by Alex Ko at third singles, 8-3, in a super set. That set was held outdoors after the four other matches were done and was only one set since the Wildcats already clinched the victory.

In doubles action, the first team of Russell Kasdon and Rafik Khodr fell, 6-2, 6-3, to Peter Chin and Winston Starrett at first doubles. The second team of Raffi Arkun and Brendan Sokop lost by matching 6-2 scores to Claus Hinck and Peter Stojanovic.

“I was very proud of the way our team played,” said Dunn. “There were several matches that went to deuce.”

In the semifinal match on June 13, the Pioneer edged Cohasset, 3-2, at Newton North High School.

With the loss, the 2nd-seeded Skippers ended the year at 15-2.

It is the second year in a row the Pioneers beat the Skippers in the semifinals as they beat them 5-0 last year, also at Newton North.

Levin was the hero in this match at first singles. With the match score knotted at two everybody there watched the final set as he played a three-hour match against Charlie Lankow to decide what team would advance.

Levin won the first set, 6-1, but lost the second one, 6-1. In the rubber set, he trailed, 5-2, before roaring back to win a thrilling, 7-5 set causing his teammates to lift him up in celebration.

“Dan gave it his all and showed his mental toughness,” said Dunn. “It was sunny and hot and you could tell how tired both players were late.”

At second singles, McCarthy won, 6-0, 6-2, over Justin Wong while Kudrimoti lost, 6-3, 6-4, to Sam Maxwell at third singles.

In doubles action, Kasdon and Khodr beat Will Wildfire and Ian Linhart, 6-1, 6-3, at first doubles. Arkun and Sokop, at second doubles, fell to Zack Smith and Royce Bleakie in three sets. They won the first one, 6-4, but then lost the final two sets, 7-5, 6-2.