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May 20, 2025: Lynnfield (5), Rockport (0)
Published May 21, 2025
Girls’ tennis qualifies for 42nd consecutive state tournament
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ tennis team is headed to the state tournament for the 42nd consecutive year.
After having a week of no matches due to rain, the Pioneers (14-2) compiled a 5-1 record over the course of six matches last week.
Lynnfield began last week defeating Amesbury 5-0 on May 12.
Senior captain Paige Martino won her first singles match in two sets, 6-0, 6-2.
Captain Lily Alves dismantled her second singles counterpart in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.
Freshman Kami Khiat secured a two-set win during third singles, 6-2, 6-2.
Freshmen Kathleen Brown and Christine Choi cruised to a decisive victory during first doubles, 6-0, 6-0.
Junior Vicky McCrann and sophomore Emma Wagon won their second doubles match, 6-1, 6-0.
Lynnfield head coach Craig Stone commended the Pioneers’ performance on the court against the Redhawks.
“All singles players led from start to finish,” said Stone. “In doubles, Kathleen and Christine moved up to first doubles for the day. Emma and Vicky, who played second doubles last year, were back together again. Both teams were in control all the way.”
Edges Manchester-Essex
The Pioneers won a hard-fought 3-2 match against archrival Manchester-Essex on May 13.
With the Pioneers and Hornets tied 2-2, Alves secured the Lynnfield victory by winning a thrilling three-set second singles match. After losing the first set 4-6, Alves won the second set 6-2 and prevailed 7-6 during the third set.
Martino won her first singles match in two sets, 7-5, 6-1.
Brown and Choi won their second doubles match in three sets. Brown and Choi won the first set 6-4, fell 3-6 during the third set and won the third set 6-1.
Khiat lost her third singles match 4-6, 0-6.
McCrann and senior captain Emma Hayman dropped their first doubles match in consecutive sets, 3-6, 1-6.
Stone commended the Pioneers for winning “another 3-2 battle” against Manchester-Essex.
“For the fourth time in the past four meetings, it was another 3-2 match,” said Stone. “This one, like the previous one that occurred last season during the Division 4 state semifinals, came down to a singles match. This time, it was second singles, where Lily Alves batted Sarah Court in a two-hour, three-set affair with the team match tied at 2-2. Lily was down 0-3 in the first set when she rallied back, but lost 4-6. However, her momentum continued in the second set, where she led throughout and earned a 6-2 win. The third set was evenly played, with both players battling from the baseline till it was 6-6, setting the stage for the tiebreaker that would not only decide the individual winner but the team winner as well. Lily was down 0-3 early and later 2-4, but she somehow found the resolve to win the next five points for a 7-6 tiebreak win with players and spectators all in view.”
Stone said the Pioneers’ match against Manchester-Essex “felt like tournament time all over again.”
“We need to continue to have more competitive matches like this to be better prepared for what is ahead,” said Stone.
Defeats Pentucket
The Pioneers kept rolling and defeated Pentucket 5-0 on May 14.
Martino cruised to a two-set victory during first singles, prevailing 6-1, 6-2.
Alves shutout her second singles counterpart in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.
Khiat won her third singles match in two sets, 6-0, 6-1.
Brown and Choi defeated their first doubles opponents in consecutive sets, 7-6, 6-2.
Wagon and junior Victoria Clancy were victorious 6-3, 6-2 during their second doubles match.
Stone said Lynnfield played well against Pentucket.
“Everyone had some time to exhale after the nail–biter with Manchester-Essex and worked on strategies they needed to improve on,” said Stone.
Stings North Reading
The Pioneers earned a hard-fought 5-0 victory over rival North Reading on May 15.
Martino pulled out a two-set win during first singles, 6-1, 6-2.
Alves defeated her second singles counterpart in two sets, prevailing 7-5, 6-2.
Khiat won her third singles match 6-4, 6-0.
Brown and Choi secured 7-5, 6-1 victories during their first doubles match.
Wagon and Clancy won their second doubles match in consecutive sets, 6-4, 6-1.
Stone said the Pioneers’ played well against North Reading.
“The team score does not represent the competitiveness of the match,” said Stone. “All positions were very closely played with highlights from all involved. Paige jumped out fast and did not let up. Lily came from down 4-5 to win the first set, and then led all the way in the second. Kami battled back-and–forth in the first set, and then was relentless in the second. Both doubles had tight first sets, but getting that first set win seemed to more confidently motivate both teams in the second set. North Reading qualifies for tournament play every year. Every time we meet, you can count on a high level of play. May 15 was no different.”
Senior Day win
The Pioneers defeated Triton 5-0 on May 16.
Before the match was held, the Pioneers honored Martino, Hayman, Parminder Saini and Marianna Angulo and their families during the annual Senior Day ceremony.
Martino dismantled her first singles opponent in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.
Alves cruised to a two-set victory during second singles, 6-0, 6-0.
Khiat won her third singles match in two sets, 6-4, 6-2.
Hayman and McCrann led both sets of their first doubles match from start to finish, prevailing 6-2, 6-0.
Saini and Angulo dominated their second doubles match, winning decisively 6-1, 6-1.
Stone said it was great “all four of our seniors came up with wins” against Triton.
“It was great to be able to recognize the seniors on this special day, have them all individually get wins and get a team win as well,” said Stone.
Clipped by Newburyport
The Pioneers concluded last week falling 3-2 to Newburyport on May 17.
Martino won her first singles match in three sets. She won the first set 6-4, fell 3-6 during the second set and prevailed 10-4 during the third set tiebreaker.
Hayman and McCrann defeated their first doubles counterparts in two sets, 7-6, 6-1.
Alves lost her second singles match in consecutive sets, 6-7, 6-7.
Khiat came up short during her third singles match in three sets. After winning the first set 6-3, Khiat lost the second set 6-7 and fell 4-6 during the third set.
Brown and Choi lost their second doubles match in two sets. After losing the first set 4-5, the second set had to be retired due to a missing player.
Stone recalled that the Pioneers defeated the Clippers earlier this season.
“Lynnfield returned to Newburyport to complete a suspended match due to rain,” said Stone. “Just as the earlier meeting, which Lynnfield won 5-0, all matches could not have been any closer, with a total of five sets being decided by tiebreakers. Both of our teams are so evenly matched that we could play this contest a third time and still have a totally different team score. I am so impressed with our team’s level of play, their sportsmanship and their ability to move on and accept the next challenge.”