By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — At the Lynnfield High boys’ tennis banquet a couple of weeks ago, head coach Joe Dunn gave out four awards.
The MVP Award went to senior Harrison Luba who played first singles and was one the team for three years (there was no season in 2020 due to the pandemic).
Luba was a Cape Ann League Second-Team All-Star this spring.
“He is the most gifted player I have ever coached,” stated Dunn, who just completed his sixth year at the helm.
The Scholar Athletic Award went to second-doubles player Jason Yang. Yang made the CAL First-Team All-Stars for the second consecutive year.
Freshman, Shea McCarthy, took home the Rookie of the Year Award. The third-singles player made the CAL First-Team All-Stars as he went 15-3 overall and 9-0 in the league.
Dave Kasdon, a senior first doubles player, captured the Coaches Award. He made the CAL First-Team All-Stars as well for the second year in a row.
It was a memorable year for the Pioneers as they reached the MIAA Division 4 state title match before losing to Weston, 5-0, on June 18, to end up at 19-2 overall.
In the CAL, Lynnfield went 11-0 as they captured the CAL Kinney Division for the fourth-straight time.
“This was one of the most enjoyable seasons I have had coaching,” said Dunn. “The kids made the full commitment and we had a lot of fun.”
Dunn was also named the CAL Kinney Division coach of the Year for the second year in a row.
“I want to thank my assistant coach Tony (Lena) for his help,” said Dunn. “I really share this honor with him. This is his second year with us and he really helped us last year when I had to miss a few matches.”
Along with Luba, Kasdon and Yang, the team will also lose Shane McQueen and Andrew Scangas to graduation.
“The seniors’ improvement over the years was amazing,” said Dunn. “Shane and Andrew helped us when they played and they would both be starters on any other team in our league.”
Lynnfield will return four starters next year with Levin, McCarthy, Rafik Khodr and Russell Kasdon all coming back.
“We have a lot of talent back,” said Dunn. “I am looking forward to it.”
