THE NRHS girls’ tennis team honored seniors Bhagy Bandara (left) and Vanessa Wright before their 5-0 victory over Stoneham on Tuesday. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

 

 

After press time:
North Reading falls to Lynnfield 5-0 (May 23)

 

Published May 23, 2024

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

NORTH READING — It was a successful Senior Day for the North Reading High girls’ tennis team on Tuesday afternoon as they blanked guest Stoneham, 5-0, in a non-league match.

“It was a great day for our two seniors,” pointed out Hornets head coach Matt Tiberii, as Bhagy Bandara and Vanessa Wright were honored before the match.

At first singles, Althea Bradley won, 6-0, 6-0 while freshman Matilda Ton also shut out her opponent 6-0, 6-0, at second singles.

Wright, at third singles, won, 6-3, 6-1.

In doubles action, the first team of  Bandara and Addison Stetson won in three sets. They won 7-6 (7-2 in the tiebreaker), lost 4-6, but won 10-4 in the 10-point final set since the match was already decided.

The second doubles team of Aniya Taneja and Shenaya Verma won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.

That win snapped a six-match losing streak as the Hornets improved to 8-8 overall.

On May 20, the Hornets lost, 5-0, at home to Hamilton-Wenham.

With that defeat, the Hornets record dipped to 5-6 in the Cape Ann League.

“There is a reason they are the two-time Division 4 state champs,” said Tiberii. “They should be a major contender again this year.”

Bradley lost, 6-0, 6-1 while Ton fell, 6-0, 6-0, at second singles.

Wright fell, 6-1, 6-2 at third singles.

Bandara and Stetson lost, 6-1, 6-2, while Verma and Ava Peake lost 6-1, 6-0, at second doubles.

On May 17, the team traveled to Peabody to take on Bishop Fenwick in a non-league match.

The Crusaders ended up winning a tight, 3-2 decision.

“This was a match that got away from us,” said Tiberii. “We were just on the wrong end of the stick.”

Bradley won, 6-3, 6-4, while Ton won, 5-7, 6-4 and 10-7 in a 10-point third set.

Wright lost 6-3, 7-6 (12-11 in the tiebreaker).

Bandara and Stetson lost in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0 while Verma and Juliet Wasilewski lost, 6-3, 6-4.

On May 15, the Hornets lost at Newburyport 5-0.

Bradley lost, 6-1, 6-2, while Ton fell in three sets, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. Stetson played third singles and lost, 6-0, 6-0.

Bandara and Wright fell, 6-3, 6-0, at first doubles while Taneja and Karina Mountain lost, 6-0, 6-2, at second doubles.

“They are a very deep team and should also made another deep runs in the Division 3 tournament,” said Tiberii, about the defending Division 3 state champion Clippers.

North Reading wraps up the regular season on May 23 as they visit Lynnfield with that match starting at 4 p.m.

The Hornets were seeded 14th in the MIAA power rankings for D3 heading into the week. If North Reading can finish in the top 16, they will get to open the tournament at home. The seedings will come out this weekend.