Shorthanded Warriors come back with win over Stoneham

JOHNNY STUMPF left his usual doubles work to play third singles on May 1 against Stoneham. Stumpf won his match 6-4, 6-2, helping the Warriors beat the Spartans 3-2. (Donna Larsson Photo)

Published in the May 7, 2019 edition.

By NOAH GREIF

WAKEFIELD — As soon as the schedule was announced for the 2019 season, head coach Cheryl Connors and the WMHS boys’ tennis team had a date circled on the calendar: April 29.

The Warriors would take on their usual rival in Melrose, which proved to be one of the most intense and competitive matches between the two current powerhouses of the Freedom Division.

Lucas Smith continued his pure dominance at second singles, steamrolling Melrose’s Zach Zibatis 6-1, 6-2. Smith was able to stay cool mentally throughout the first set when rallies were tight and long. Once he won the first set, Smith was able to relax and put the pressure on his opponent more, forcing his opponent to make a number of unforced errors.

At first singles, Noah Greif got the second win of the day for the Warriors, pulling out a gutsy 6-2, 7-5 win over Melrose’s Henry MacDonnell. Greif cruised in the first set by working his opponent’s backhand, forcing errors early in the point. As the match progressed, MacDonnell began to play more consistent, forcing Greif to increase his patience in points. Finding himself down 5-4 in the second set, the junior captain made sure to prevent a three-setter, winning the next three games to put Wakefield one win away from victory.

“Noah and Lucas’s wins were hard fought. Both players did not lose their concentration and played smart, often building and setting up points,” said Connors.

At second doubles, Ian Schermerhorn and Russell Harter could not pull off the win but played some of their best tennis of the season. The duo fell 6-1, 7-5 to Tyler Janzen and Russell Darwin. After a disappointing first set, the junior pair stepped up their games to another level, with a much more competitive second set, both in the score and the overall quality of points.

First doubles and third singles were the most competitive matches of the day as both went the distance in three sets. Johnny Stumpf and Josh Cieniewicz took on Nick Koen and Jack Summersby and lost in a roller coaster ride of a match. Melrose won the first set 6-2 through their crushing net play, as well as controlling the pace of the game with crosscourt shots and lobs. The Warrior duo made an adjustment to win the second set 6-2 by limiting the powerful groundstrokes and net play through consistent lobbying, but could not bounce back to win the third set, with Melrose winning 6-1.

With the match score tied at two apiece, the match came down to a two-hour battle between Jack Palmer and Griffin Castergine at third singles. Palmer lost the first set 6-4 but battled back to win the second set 6-3, sending the match to a deciding third set. With Palmer down 5-0, things looked bleak for the junior, but he began to elevate his play with the pressure on. The Warrior crowd began to get into the match, giving Palmer support after every point. The captain would battle back all the way to 5-3, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

“Even though Jack lost, he played great tennis. He used a variety of shots. Made a great comeback after losing the first. He worked so hard that physically and mentally he was exhausted. I think we will know Melrose’s game much better and will be ready for them next time,” said Connors.

Beat
Stoneham,
3-2

Only two days later, the Warriors came right back to Dobbins Courts and put themselves back into the win column. Both Noah Greif and Lucas Smith picked up easy wins to set the tone, with Greif winning 6-0, 6-0 over Luke Arnos and Smith winning 6-1, 6-1 over Colin Campbell.

Stoneham kept themselves in the match with a win at first doubles, with Evan Celli and Kevin Sarkis defeating Sean DeCourcy and Josh Cieniewicz 6-0, 6-4. The duo made too many mistakes to keep themselves in the match, while the Spartans managed to play smart at the net.

With three varsity players missing, captain Johnny Stumpf played his second singles match of the season, and showed no signs of rust, defeating Stoneham’s Matt Marchant 6-4, 6-2.

“I have full confidence with Johnny in a singles spot. He played singles last year and had an amazing record, but he has also adapted to playing doubles,” said Connors.

At second doubles, Connors called on a pair of freshmen from the junior varsity squad. The last time a freshman played on varsity was Greif and Palmer in 2017, showing these current freshmen are the future of the team. Michael Leary and Kyle Russell were given the varsity nod.

“I chose Kyle and Michael to play varsity because they always come to practice ready to learn and to give 100 percent. Michael has a great net game and is not afraid to come to the net and put the ball away. They both have consistent serves as well,” said Connors.

The freshmen lived up to the expectations, producing an exciting three-set match, where they ultimately fell 6-2, 5-7, 6-0.

“They performed well in their first varsity match. They won the first set by Kyle returning deep shots to the baseline and setting Michael up at the net. That is good doubles play.”

The Warriors look to continue the run to the state tournament, as they take on Woburn today, 4 p.m. at Woburn High School.