SOPHOMORE Paige Martino defeated her first singles opponent in straight sets during the girls’ tennis team’s 3-0 victory over Triton on April 10. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ tennis team is on a three-match winning stretch.
Lynnfield (3-1) began last week defeating Triton 5-0 on April 10.
Sophomore Paige Martino won her first singles match in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2.
“Paige dominated the first set,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone. “Paige was leading 3-2 in the second when she ran the table and won three straight games.”
Senior captain Geena Gioioso secured a two-set victory during second singles, 6-2, 6-0.
“Geena dropped the first game, but then won 12 out of the next 13,” said Stone.
Captain Maddie Sieve won her third singles match in three sets. After losing the first set 3-6, Sieve won the second set 6-1 and prevailed 10-6 during the final set’s super tiebreaker.
“Maddie got off to a shaky start, but she settled down and won the second set,” said Stone. “With Lynnfield already up 3-1 in matches played, they played a 10 point super tiebreaker and Maddie grabbed the win.”
Junior Leticia Marafon and sophomore Ella Hayman won their first doubles match in two sets, 6-0, 6-1.
“Leticia and Ella picked up their first win together at first doubles,” said Stone.
Sophomore Ciara Long and freshman Lily Alves earned their first varsity victories at second doubles after winning their match in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.
“Ciara and Lily each got their first win as a team, and their first interscholastic win while blanking their opponents,” said Stone.
Stone was pleased the Pioneers were able to get its first win of the season against the Vikings.
“It’s always nice to get the first team win of the season at home and in front of a good crowd,” said Stone. “We still have a lot of work to do, but both the work ethic and enthusiasm is high, which are both good signs.”
Cruises past Malden Catholic
The Pioneers crushed Malden Catholic 5-0 on April 13.
Martino easily defeated her first singles counterpart in two sets, 6-0, 6-2.
Gioioso dismantled her second singles opponent in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0.
Sieve cruised past her third singles counterpart in two sets, 6-0, 6-1.
“Paige, Geena and Maddie all led from start to finish,” said Stone.
Marafon and Alves won their first doubles match in two sets, 6-0, 6-4.
Sophomore Parminder Saini and freshman Vicky McCrann secured a two-set victory during second doubles, prevailing 6-1, 6-4.
“Both doubles jumped teams out early by winning their first sets,” said Stone. “Malden Catholic battled back in the second sets, as the set scores seesawed back-and-forth before both Pioneer pairs prevailed. Lily partnered with Leticia for the first time this season, and Parminder and Vicky both played in their first varsity match. We were down a couple of players due to the school trip to Italy and France.”
Stone said the Pioneers played well in the summertime temperatures that reached a high of 86 degrees.
“I’m glad we were able to put a non-league match together with Malden Catholic,” said Stone. “Malden Catholic qualified for the Division 3 state tournament last year, and most likely will this year as well.”
Defeats Amesbury
The Pioneers concluded last week defeating Amesbury 5-0 on April 14.
Martino cruised to a two-set victory during first singles, prevailing 6-1, 6-0.
Gioioso dismantled her second singles opponent in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1.
Sieve won her third singles match in two sets, 6-1, 7-5.
“Paige and Geena again dominated throughout their matches,” said Stone. “Geena and Paige were able to hit deep to create opportunities, take short balls and approach the net to add continued pressure. Maddie dominated play in the first set, but her opponent bounced back to make the second set an even affair before Maddie pulled it out with the match tied 5-5 by winning the last two games.”
Marafon and Alves won their first doubles match in two sets, 6-0, 6-3.
“First doubles rolled the table and took the first set by storm,” said Stone. “Leticia and Lily were up 4-1 in the second set when Amesbury rallied to 4-3, but the Pioneer duo won the last two games to pull out the match.”
Junior Madison Danese and sophomore Bella Nguyen secured a two-set victory during second doubles, prevailing 6-4, 6-4.
“Madison and Bella made their varsity debut” said Stone. “The match bounced back-and-forth between both sets with each pair asserting themselves, but Madison and Bella seemed to have the answers at the end of both sets.”
Stone said the Pioneers played very well against the Red Hawks.
“We have played four matches with three different lineups and still sport a record of 3-1,” said Stone. “Our lone loss was to Newburyport, who is the returning Division 3 state champs. We are at the point now instead of wondering what kind of a season we will have to pushing ourselves and exceeding all early expectations.”
Upcoming matches
Lynnfield hosts Rockport on Monday, April 24, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The Pioneers host North Andover on Wednesday, April 26, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Lynnfield hosts Pentucket on Thursday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m.