By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls’ tennis team is making strides in their early season with a highlight being a league win over rival Wakefield on April 11. It was a key Freedom league victory for Melrose, and according to Melrose coach Lydia Mays, they team was firing on all cylinders to top the Warriors in a 3-2 close win.
Competing for Melrose in the contest were Lucia Faulkenberry in first singles, Mary Atkinson in second singles, and Tess Isakson in third singles. Doubles work was led by Mina Zheng and Natalia Menjivar in first doubles and Lexi Miller and Meryl Stratford in second doubles.
Coach Mays noted that while their current lineup will likely have some variation over the spring, “This lineup has been strong for us so far in the season.”
According to coach Mays, the work from Atkinson and Isakson was arduous in second and third singles, respectively, and it paved way to victory. “They both played for 2 and a half hours before they secured the win.” She also noted the hard work of Miller and Stratford in 2nd doubles. “They had to overcome setbacks in the second set to win it all.”
Mays acknowledged that Wakefield, like many of the Middlesex teams, was a tough opponent. “Every team in the Middlesex league is very good this year. We won’t have any easy matches all season,” she said.
Despite the win, Melrose fell in close matches to ML Freedom rivals Burlington and Wilmington in recent efforts. They fell to Burlington 1-3 on April 14 and then to Wilmington, in a closer 2-3 finish on April 16.
Prevailing for Melrose was Tess Isakson in 3rd singles and Miller Stratford in second doubles. Work by Mina Zheng and Natalia Menjivar in first doubles was stretched to two tie-breakers.
As Melrose approaches the mid-point to the season, they’re feeling confident amid their competitive league play, particularly against Freedom rivals. Says coach Mays, “We’ve been close in all our league matches. We need to be okay with long matches and find a way to put away games when our opponent gives us the opportunity.”
And she notes that her veteran players are making a difference this year. “Tess Isakson has won in every match that has mattered. She figures out how to play with her opponent and then outlasts them. She played three three set matches in a row after a very good match against Winchester.” She also gave credit to Atkinson’s efforts in second singles. “Mary Atkinson has also impressed me this year. She has played some very hard opponents this year and she has shown composure, strength, and power on the court.”
As they approach the next half of the season, they’re looking to get energized and creative. “We’re working on being unpredictable on the court,” says Mays. “We hope that will allow us to win points more easily and avoid the 3 set matches. This week will be a very good indicator of our skills because we are playing Stoneham and Watertown. Watertown should be good but if we can stay in it we should be able to pull out a win.”