Updates after press time:
Lynnfield defeats Newburyport 5-0 (May 1)
Lynnfield defeats Triton 5-0 (April 30)
Lynnfield falls to Hamilton-Wenham 3-2 (April 28)
Published April 23, 2025
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ tennis team remains undefeated seven matches into the 2025 season.
Lynnfield began last week shutting out rival North Reading 5-0 on April 14.
Senior captain Paige Martino won her first singles match in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2.
“Paige could not miss in the first set, hitting winners off both forehand and backhand,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone. “Her opponent settled down in the second, but Paige pulled away at 3-2.”
Captain Lily Alves defeated her second singles counterpart in two sets, 6-3, 6-3.
“Lilly’s match was a battle of groundstrokes, with both players having opportunities through mid-sets, but Lily seemed to have the more competitive edge going down the stretch,” said Stone.
Junior Vicky McCrann won a thrilling third singles match in three sets. After winning the first set 6-3, McCrann lost the second set 3-6. She won the third set tiebreaker 10-2.
“Vicky’s match was a tale of two halves, with each player winning a set,” said Stone. “With the team match already won, they played a 10-point tiebreaker, in which Vicky jumped out quick and sprinted to the finish.”
Senior captain Ella Hayman and freshman Kami Khiat won their first doubles match in two sets, 6-2, 6-1.
“Ella and Kami took a little while to get going, but they soon found a nice rhythm blending baseline and net play,” said Stone.
Sophomore Emma Wagon and freshman Kathleen Brown earned a two-set win during second doubles, prevailing 6-2, 6-3.
“Emma and Kathleen followed the same play pattern as first doubles, but found themselves down 0-3 in the second set before winning six games in a row,” said Stone.
Stone said the Pioneers’ matches against the Hornets were “much more competitive than the team score indicates.”
“The weather finally cooperated and the players on both teams, several of them who play at the same club during the winter, had a very competitive match,” said Stone. “Fortunately, we came out on top this time, and I am sure the return match in May will be just as competitive.”
Declaws Panthers
The Pioneers defeated Pentucket 4-1 on April 16.
Martino dismantled her first singles counterpart in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.
Alves won her second singles match in two sets, 6-1, 6-0.
“Paige and Lily dominated all aspects of play, losing only a single game between the two of them,” said Stone.
Khiat defeated her third singles opponent in two sets, 6-1, 6-2.
“Kami continued to show her flexibility between singles and doubles by earning a straight-set win,” said Stone.
Wagon and junior Victoria Clancy earned a hard fought first doubles victory in three sets. Wagon and Clancy won the first set 6-1, lost the second set 3-6 and prevailed 10-3 during the third set tiebreaker.
“Emma and Victoria split sets and with the match already won, played a 10-point tiebreaker to decide the winner,” said Stone. “It was a tale of two sets early, with each team controlling play but in the tiebreaker, the Lynnfield duo jumped out early and never looked back.”
Senior Parminder Saini and sophomore Maria Roberto lost their second doubles match in two sets, 4-6, 3-6.
Stone said the Pioneers played very well against the Panthers.
“We were able to show the depth and talent on our team by resting some starters and still came away with the win,” said Stone.
Edges Danvers
The Pioneers defeated Danvers 3-2 on April 17.
Martino lost her first match of the season after falling to first singles opponent Madison Savage in three sets. After winning the first set 6-3, Martino lost the second set 6-7 and fell 6-10 during the third set.
Alves defeated her second singles counterpart in two sets, 7-6, 6-3.
“Lily was down 0-3 in the first set, closed it to 6-6 and then won a 7-3 tiebreaker to take the first set,” said Stone. “Leading 3-2 in the second set, she ran off three games for the win over a Northeastern Conference All-Star.”
Khiat lost her third singles match in two sets, 3-6, 1-6.
Hayman and McCrann won their first doubles match in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
“Ella and Vicky played their best tennis of the season to defeat a pair of Northeastern Conference All-Stars,” said Stone. “Both players compliment each other with their styles of play and have great team chemistry.”
Sophomores Fiona Asaad and Nandana Nishanth won their second doubles match, 6-4, 7-6.
“Fiona and Nandana’s second doubles match could not have been much tighter, as neither team could mount a consistent charge,” said Stone. “However, Fiona and Nandana managed to come up with big points when needed to notch the win.”
Stone said the Pioneers played a great match against the Falcons.
“It was an awesome match with excellent tennis played at all five positions,” said Stone. “It was a great team win. Danvers was 18-2 last year, and returned six of their seven starters. I am so proud of what we have been able to accomplish at this time, but we all realize that we have much further to go.”