KATHERINE HOADLEY (left) and Lexi Licciardi won at first doubles against Lynnfield on May 18. Hoadley then teamed with Bhagyavi Bandara to win a first doubles matchup against Triton on May 20. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN NUNN
NORTH READING — On May 16, the NRHS girls’ tennis team took down the Rockport Vikings 4-1.
Senior Captain Elizabeth Grant won at first singles 6-0,6-3. Senior Captain Gina Campagna won at third singles 6-4,6-1. Freshman Althea Bradley suffered the only loss 6-4,6-3 at second singles.
Juniors Chloe Florez and Alyssa Bradley dominated at first doubles 6-2,6-1. At second doubles, senior captain Lexi Licciardi and sophomore Vanessa Wright won 6-3,6-1.
The Hornets stung non-league foe Bishop Fenwick in Peabody 4- 1 on May 17.
Althea Bradley returned to the win column at second singles 6-2,6-2. Campagna cruised 6-3,6-0 at third singles. Alyssa Bradley and Florez clinched the victory with a straight set sweep 6-2,6-3. Licciardi and Wright won 6-2,6-2 at second doubles. Grant lost 6-0,6-2 at first singles.
NRHS took to the road for the third day in a row to face the Pioneers. Lynnfield swept the singles again and won the match 3-2. Alyssa Bradley and Florez won a three set thriller 4-6,6-2,6-1 at first doubles and Licciardi and junior Katherine Hoadley locked down a 6-4,6-0 victory at second doubles.
For their fourth match in five days, the Hornets traveled up to Byfield to face Triton. The three senior captains were out for this match so the underclassmen led the charge to the comfortable 5- 0 victory.
Althea Bradley stepped in at first singles and only dropped one game 6-0,6-1. Wright played second singles and came through with a another third set tiebreaker win 6–1, 4-6, 12-10. Junior Alyssa Bradley won at third singles 6-2,6-2
Juniors Chloe Florez and Mary Bonzagni won in a cake walk 6-0,6-0 at first doubles. Hoadley and Bhagyavi Bandara played together for the first time and won 6-2,6-4.
The Hornets beat Ipswich 4-1 this week after press time to improve to 14-5 on the season. The team was ranked 8th in the state in the latest MIAA Div. 3 power ratings. The team finished up their regular season at home against Malden yesterday after press time.
