CAPTAINS Geena Gioioso (left) and Maddie Sieve are looking forward to leading the girls’ tennis team back to the state tournament for the 40th consecutive year this spring. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ tennis team is back on the court, and is looking to qualify for the state tournament for the 40th straight year.
The Pioneers concluded the 2022 season with a 15-6 record. Lynnfield qualified for the Division 4 state tournament, and the third seeded Pioneers fell 3-2 to archrival/sixth seed Manchester-Essex in the Elite Eight. Second singles player Anna Radulski, first doubles player Lauren Grava and second doubles player Sarah Breslow graduated last June.
“We will be filling in with spot starters from last year, JV players and a new freshman,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone.
Senior captain Geena Gioioso agreed.
“We have a lot of new players,” said Gioioso. “Everyone is working hard and having a lot of fun.”
Captain Maddie Sieve concurred with Stone and Gioioso’s sentiment.
“Everyone on the team has been working very hard,” said Sieve, who is a junior.
Stone said Gioioso has moved up from third singles to second singles this season.
“Geena is a solid baseline player who is very steady,” said Stone. “She has worked hard to improve her game the last three years. She has an improved serve and volley game that should further help her this season.”
Sieve is playing third singles this spring after starting at first doubles last year.
“Maddie returned to the court as a sophomore after not playing as a freshman,” said Stone. “She is a tremendous athlete and competitor. Making the transition from first doubles to third singles will be a challenge, but she is more than up for it.”
Sophomore Paige Martino is playing first singles once again this spring.
“Paige had a 16-5 record at first singles last year,” said Stone.
Junior Leticia Marafon and sophomore Ella Hayman have formed a new first doubles team this year.
“Leticia is moving up from second doubles to first doubles,” said Stone. “Ella was a spot starter last season.”
Sophomore Ciara Long and freshman Lily Alves are playing second doubles this season.
“Ciara played JV last season,” said Stone. “Lily is relatively new to competitive tennis, but she has received some previous instruction and has played recreationally.”
Stone said the Pioneers’ lineup will also include senior Teanne Alfama Polanco, junior Madison Danese, sophomore Parminder Saini, sophomore Bella Nguyen and freshman Vicky McCrann.
“They will add some depth to the starting varsity lineup, which will be followed by an additional 10 new JV players,” said Stone. “Early in the season our strength will probably come from our singles players, with the doubles teams gaining strength as they gain experience playing with each other.”
Stone said the Pioneers have to learn how to “trust our strokes and think in the present.”
“We need to stay mentally tough,” said Stone. “We can’t change what has happened in the past, or worry about the future. We have to stay in the present and focus on what’s important now.”
Clipped by Newburyport
The Pioneers (0-1) opened the season falling 4-1 to defending Division 3 state champion Newburyport on April 6.
Sieve won her third singles match in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.
“Maddie picked up the lone win that was also her first win at singles after being a doubles starter last year,” said Stone. “She played very steady from the baseline and limited her unforced errors.”
Martino lost her first singles match in two sets, 0-6, 1-6.
Gioioso dropped her second singles match in two sets, 2-6, 2-6.
Marafon and Hayman fell 0-6, 1-6 during first doubles.
Long and Alves lost their second doubles match in two sets, 0-6, 2-6.
“It was a tough start against the 2022 Division 3 state champs,” said Stone. “With three new starters in the lineup, against an obviously strong team, I came away very optimistic about what the 2023 season could bring. I believe the players felt the same away.”
Upcoming matches
The Pioneers hosted Triton on Monday, April 10, taking place after deadline. Lynnfield hosts Malden Catholic on Thursday, April 13, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Lynnfield Middle School. The Pioneers travel to Amesbury on Friday, April 14, beginning at 3:30 p.m.