Published May 1, 2019

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — On Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High boys’ tennis team edged host Hamilton-Wenham 3-2 at the Ipswich County Club. With that victory, the Pioneers improved to 5-0 overall.

Sophomore co-captain, Jamil Khodr, lost at first singles in three sets, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. Second singles player Harrison Luba won, 7-5, 6-1 while third singles player, Mike Gentile, won with matching 6-1 scores.

In doubles action, the second team of Jason Stelman and Nick Dow lost 6-0, 6-0 but the first team of David Gentile and Mike Maffeo won a marathon match, 6-7 (5-7 tiebreaker), 7-5, 7-6 (7-1 in the tiebreaker).

“Both of those teams were so equally matched,” said Lynnfield head coach Joe Dunn. “It could have went either way.”

That was also the first time the Pioneers have played on a clay court this season.

JAMIL KHODR has had a strong start to the season at first singles. The sophomore won his matches against Triton and North Reading and was edged in three sets against tough competition vs. Hamilton-Wenham and Rockport during Lynnfield’s recent 4-0 stretch.  (Dan Pawlowski Photo)

Roll past Hornets

On April 25 there was not much drama as the Pioneers blanked guest North Reading 5-0 at Lynnfield Middle School. With that win, the team improved to 3-0 in the Cape Ann League.

Khodr won 6-4, 6-1 at first singles while Luba won 6-3, 6-0 at second singles.

Mike Gentile won with matching 6-3 scores at third singles.

David Gentile and Maffeo won 6-3, 6-4 at first doubles. The second doubles team of Dow and Matt Gunning won 6-4, 6-4.

“The doubles matches were back-and-fourth,” said Dunn. “The score was much closer than the final would indicate. They don’t have a bad team there.”

Get past Rockport

On April 24, the Pioneers won 4-1 at Rockport.

Khodr lost at first singles, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Luba won 6-1, 6-0 while Mike Gentile shutout his opponent 6-0, 6-0.

David Gentile and Maffeo won 6-1, 6-4 while the second duo of Gunnning and Stelman won in three sets. They lost 7-5 in the first set but then won 6-2, 6-0.

“We have been working out different combinations at second doubles,” pointed out Dunn.

Shut out Triton

On April 23, the Pioneers blanked guest Triton, 5-0.

“They have a very young team this year,” said Dunn about the overmatched Vikings.

Khodr won 6-1, 6-0 while Luba won 6-0, 6-0. Mike Gentile won 6-1, 6-0, at third singles.

David Gentile and Maffeo won 6-0, 6-0 while Jason Yang and David Kasdon won 6-1, 6-2 at second doubles.

On Wednesday (May 1), Lynnfield visits Amesbury. They then face their toughest test of the year as they go to non-league St. John’s Prep on May 3 up in Danvers. Next Monday, the Pioneers return to CAL play as they host Ipswich.

All three of these matches will start at 3:30 p.m.