Coach Dunn announces retirement

Published July 3, 2019

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — Four members of the Lynnfield High boys’ tennis team were recently named to the Cape Ann League First-Team All-Stars this spring. The four Pioneer players to make the squad are Harrison Luba, Mike Gentile, David Gentile and Mike Maffeo.

Luba, a freshman, went a perfect 18-0 playing second singles while Mike Gentle went unbeaten as well going 19-0 at third singles. Mike Gentlie, a senior, made the team last year as well at first doubles.

FIRST DOUBLES teammates Mike Maffeo and David Gentile both made the CAL First Team All-Stars. (Dan Pawlowski File Photo)

David Gentile and Maffeo, who are both seniors, were the Pioneers’ first doubles team and they finished at 16-3. Dave Gentile made the team last year at second doubles.

“They were awesome all season long,” said Pioneers head coach Joe Dunn. “They made it a very fun season.”

The team also had its awards banquet and Dunn handed out four awards. Sophomore Jamil Khodr, who played first singles, took home the Coaches Award. David Gentile won the Scholar Athlete Award.

Mike Gentile was named the team’s MVP while Luba captured the Rookie of the Year Award.

With the Gentile twins graduating, two new captains were named for next year joining Khodr. Those two are Luba and junior Jason Stelman, who played second doubles with Matt Gunning.

HARRISON LUBA made the first team CAL All-Stars after going 18-0 at second singles during his freshman season. (Dan Tomasello File Photo)

Lynnfield will lose five seniors total. Along with the Gentile twins, they also will lose Maffeo, Gunning and Nick Dow.

“The seniors came along strong,” said Dunn. “Some of them weren’t in the lineup last year.”

Dunn also told his squad that he is retiring after four years at the helm. He retired from working at Salem State four years ago.

“Whoever is the new coach will have a very strong team with the kids who are coming back next year,” said Dunn.

Lynnfield reached the Division 3 North semifinals before falling to Weston 3-2 back on June 10 to end the year at 15-4. Weston ended up winning the Div. 3 state title beating Hopedale 5-0 on June 19.

The Pioneers won the CAL Kinney division title going 8-1. It was their second CAL Kinney championship in a row.