By DAN TOMASELLO
DANVERS — The third seeded girls’ tennis team fell 4-1 to second seed Manchester-Essex in the Division 4 state semifinals at St. John’s Prep in Danvers on June 15.
“To say we exceeded expectations this season would be an understatement,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone. “Making it to the Final Four was a Herculean accomplishment. The improvement of each of the team members, and their commitment to TEAM (Together Each Achieves More) was never so evident.”
Sophomore Paige Martino won her first singles match in three sets. After losing the first set 4-6, Martino regrouped and won the second set decisively 6-1. She cruised to a 6-1 victory during the third set.
“Paige played a little hurried in the first set because the team match made everyone a little nervous,” said Stone. “However, she settled down to play the style that has made her so successful this season and led from start to finish during the final two sets.”
Senior captain Genna Gioioso lost her second singles match in three sets. After losing the first set 0-6, Gioioso regrouped and won the second set 7-5. She fell 7-10 in a third set tiebreaker.
“Genna was also was a little tight,” said Stone. “Although many of the games in the first set went to deuce, she had trouble finishing. She too settled down during the second set, but was behind 4-5, and saved many match points before rallying to win the second set. With the team match decided 3-1, Genna played a 10-point tiebreaker for the third set.”
Captain Maddie Sieve lost her third singles match in two sets, 2-6, 1-6.
“Maddie hung in there against Manchester-Essex,” said Stone. “Many of Maddie’s games went to deuce, but Manchester-Essex won most of them.”
Junior Leticia Marafon and freshman Lily Alves lost their first doubles match in three sets. After winning the first set 6-4, Marafon and Alves lost the second set 4-6 and fell 0-6 during the third set.
“Leticia and Lily had won the first set, lost the second and lost momentum in the third set to the Manchester-Essex All-League doubles team,” said Stone. “First doubles played the best tennis they had played all season, and their style of play frustrated their opponents. Earlier in the season, we had lost to that first doubles team 6-2,6-1.”
Manchester-Essex was able to clinch the state semifinals victory after winning the first doubles match.
Sophomore Ella Hayman and freshman Vicky McCrann lost their second doubles match in two sets, 1-6, 2-6.
“Ella and Vicky hung in there, but their opponents had a little too much firepower and controlled most of the play,” said Stone.
Stone praised the Pioneers’ performance against the Hornets.
“After two hours of play, the match was 2-1,” said Stone. “Manchester-Essex, the number 2 seed, had four starting seniors in their lineup, and the outcome was still very much in doubt. We had one senior, two juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen. Three of those starters had only played one varsity match combined before this season. I am so proud of what they accomplished and I am already looking forward to next season!”
Manchester-Essex fell to number one seed Hamilton-Wenham 4-1 in the Division 4 state finals. The Generals have won the last two Division 4 championships.