THE LHS boys’ tennis team opened up their new courts at the high school on Monday with a 5-0 win over Manchester-Essex. (Courtesy Photo)

 

 

After press time:
Lynnfield defeat Amesbury 5-0 (May 13)
Lynnfield defeats North Reading 5-0 (May 10)

 

Published May 8, 2024

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — On Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High boys’ tennis team had its first home match of the year at their brand-new courts at the high school (the Pioneers used to play their home matches at Lynnfield Middle School).

The Pioneers made it a positive debut beating Manchester-Essex 5-0.

“The score doesn’t indicate how close the match was,” said Pioneers head coach Joe Dunn. “They have a good team that won the CAL Open a couple of Saturday’s ago.”

Lynnfield improved to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the Cape Ann League.

At first singles, Dan Levin won 6-0, 6-3 while second-singles player Shea McCarthy won also, 6-3, 6-1.

Third-singles player, Russ Kasdon, won in three sets, 0-6, 6-0, 6-4.

At first doubles, Raffi Arkun and Brendan Sokop also won in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. The second pairing of Shlok Kudrimoti and Kurt Rothermund won, 6-2, 6-0.

“The two matches that went to three sets were exciting,” said Dunn.

On May 3, the Pioneers won at Swampscott, 4-1, in a non-league match.

Levin won in three sets, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.

“The tennis in that match was incredible,” recalled Dunn. “That match could have went either way. Dan beat him in a close match last season as well.”

At second singles, McCarthy won with matching 6-4 scores while Kasdon won, 6-0, 6-1, at third singles.

In doubles action, Arkun and Sokop lost, 6-4, 6-1 but the duo of Kudrimoti and Slate LoPilato won in three sets, 6-4, 6-7 (7-1 in the tiebreaker) and 7-5.

“That match could have easily been a loss,” admitted Dunn. “We could have lost at first singles and second doubles.”

On May 1, the Pioneers won at Newburyport 5-0.

Levin shutout his opponent, 6-0, 6-0, while McCarthy won, 6-2, 6-0, at number two. Kasdon won, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7 in the tiebreaker).

Arkun and Sokop won in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 while Kudrimoti and LoPilato also won in three sets, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

“They have a couple of good doubles teams,” said Dunn, about the Clippers.

Lynnfield’s next three matches will be at home. On May 8, they host Newburyport at 3:30 p.m. They face rival North Reading at 4 p.m. on May 10 and then welcome Amesbury on May 13 at 3:30 p.m.

The Amesbury match is the team’s Senior Day as the five Pioneer 12th-graders will be honored before the match.