Published June 9, 2021
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ tennis team easily dismantled both of its opponents last week.
The Pioneers (7-2) began last week defeating Ipswich 4-1 on June 1.
Senior captain Emma Gallucci won her first singles match in three sets. After dropping the first set 4-6, Gallucci secured a 6-4 victory during the second set and a 10-7 win during the third set tiebreaker.
“Emma and Anastasia Kozak were locked in a two-hour battle at first singles,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone. “Anastasia was the fifth consecutive United States Tennis Association ranked player that Emma had seen over the last two weeks. The two warriors exchanged punishing ground strokes and serves the entire match, splitting sets, which set the stage for the 10-point tiebreaker to decide the winner. As all the players and fans crowded around court one, Anastasia jumped out early in the tiebreaker 3-1. But as had been the case all match, Emma was relentless, physically and mentally, taking back the lead at 6-5 and never letting it go. She won the tiebreaker 10-7.”
Senior Ava Buonfiglio won her second singles match in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.
“Ava secured the win with the team’s third point with a victory at second singles by running the table and winning all 12 games,” said Stone.
Sophomore Genna Gioioso earned her first start at third singles, where she dismantled her opponent in two sets, 6-0, 6-2.
“Genna was off the court first,” said Stone. “She made her singles debut after playing the previous seven matches at second doubles. Genna showcased a steady ground game, and led from start to finish.”
The first doubles team of senior Emily Goguen and junior Lauren Grava lost their match in two sets, 1-6, 2-6.
Junior Anna Radulski and senior Gabi Mellor cruised past their second doubles opponents in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.
“The newly formed tandem of Anna and Gabi secured our second point at second doubles after overpowering the Ipswich team,” said Stone. “Ipswich got on the board after picking up their lone point at first doubles as Emily and Lauren had trouble with their opponent’s steady play.”
Stone commended the Pioneers’ performance against the Tigers.
“We were able to show our team’s versatility by moving a couple of players around from singles to doubles, and doubles to singles,” said Stone. “Further, we demonstrated that tennis is a team sport and that no one position is more important than the other.”
Shuts out Triton
The Pioneers defeated Triton 5-0 on June 3.
Before the match began, the Pioneers honored Gallucci, Buonfiglio, Goguen, Mellor and senior captain Megan Nevils and their families during the team’s Senior Day ceremony.
Gallucci defeated her first singles opponent in two sets, 6-1, 7-5.
“Emma had a second set battle on her hands, but prevailed,” said Stone.
Buonfiglio cruised to an easy two-set victory during second singles, prevailing 6-0, 6-0.
Radulski was back in action at third singles, and won her match in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.
“Ava and Anna shared similar scores by blanking their opponents,” said Stone.
Goguen and Grava won their first doubles match in three sets. After winning the first set 6-1, Goguen and Grava lost the second set 2-6. The first doubles tandem prevailed 6-3 during the third set.
“First doubles was the best match of the day,” said Stone. “A three-set affair that seesawed back and forth, with the team that jumped out early winning each set.”
Gioioso and Mellor secured a decisive victory during second doubles, prevailing 6-1, 6-1.
“Second doubles led wire to wire without much trouble,” said Stone.
Stone said Lynnfield played a terrific match against Triton.
“It’s always nice to win, especially at home on Senior Day,” said Stone. “With five seniors in the lineup and playing the day after the Senior Prom, this could have been a deterrent, but everyone reached back from within to get the ‘W’ on this special day. Senior Day allows the team to appreciate the contributions of its seniors, and the seniors get to show their appreciation to their parents for those years of support and encouragement.”
Upcoming matches Lynnfield traveled to North Reading on Tuesday, June 8, taking place after deadline. The girls’ tennis team travels to Manchester-Essex on Wednesday, June 9, beginning at 3:45 p.m. Lynnfield travels to Amesbury on Thursday, June 10, beginning at 3:45 p.m.
