By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — On Monday afternoon, the North Reading High girls’ tennis team was edged, 3-2, at Lynnfield. With that result, the Hornets’ record dipped to 6-7 overall and 4-4 in the Cape Ann League..
“It was a great match between two good teams,” said Hornets head coach Matt Tiberii, who was pleased with his team’s effort.
Althea Bradley lost, 6-1, 6-2, at first singles while her sister, Alyssa, fell, 6-2, 6-1 at second singles. Third-singles player, Vanessa Wright, won, 6-3, 6-0.
In doubles play, the first team of Chloe Florez and Katherine Hoadley won in three sets. They lost the first one, 2-6, but then won the next two, 6-2, 6-3.
The second team of Mary Bonzagni and Bhagi Bandara lost, 6-2, 6-4.
The news was much better on May 12 as the Hornets blanked guest Rockport, 5-0, at home.
“They are a young, scrappy team that are on their way,” said Tiberii, about the Vikings.
Althea Bradley won by matching 6-2 scores. Alyssa Bradley won in shutout fashion, 6-0, 6-0. Wright won, 6-3, 6-2, at third singles.
Florez and Hoadley won at first doubles 6-1, 7-6 (7-5 in the tiebreaker) while Bonzagni and Bandara won, 7-5, 6-2, at second doubles.
The day before the Rockport match, the Hornets lost, 4-1, at home to Bishop Fenwick in a non-league match. The Crusaders won the first meeting, 4-1, as well back on May 3 in Peabody.
“They would be one of the top teams if they were in our league,” said Tiberii.
Althea Bradley lost in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, as she won the second set. Her sister lost, 6-2, 6-4 while Wright lost, 6-0, 6-0, at third singles.
Florez and Hoadley had the lone win winning in three sets, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, at first doubles. Bonzagni and Bandara fell 6-3, 7-5, at second doubles.
On May 10, the Hornets wee shut out, 5-0, by host Newburyport as the Clippers swept the season series.
“They are the best team we have played so far this year,” stated Tiberii, as the Clippers are the defending Div. 3 state champions.
Althea Bradley lost, 6-0, 6-0, while her sister fell, 6-2, 6-0. Bandara played third singles and lost, 6-0, 6-0. The first doubles team of Florez and Wright fell, 7-6 (8-6 in the tiebreaker), 6-2. Bonzagni and Hoadley played an eight-game pro set and fell 8-2 at second doubles.
The Hornets’ next match is May 18 as they host Andover in a non-league match that will start at 3:45 p.m. The next day, they visit Ipswich with that match starting at 4:15 p.m. as the Hornets return to CAL action.
North Reading then plays another non-league match on May 22 as they host Malden. That is the team’s Senior Day as the four 12th-graders for the Hornets will be honored.
They then visit Manchester-Essex the next day to wrap up the regular season.
both of those matches will start at 4:15 p.m.
When the MIAA Division 3 power rankings came out earlier this week, the Hornets were ranked 13th. The top 32 schools, at the end of the regular season, automatically qualify for the state tournament.