Published May 2, 2019
By DAN NUNN
NORTH READING — With some regular players unavailable the Netmen took on a strong and experienced Hamilton-Wenham Generals team on April 17. The Hornets battled hard but dropped the match 5-0.
“We didn’t have our full lineup but we played really well. The matches were all very close,” said head coach Mark Bisognano.
At first singles senior captain Ryan Landers lost an extremely close match in straight sets 7-6, 7-5. Senior captain Seth Hemley was defeated at second singles 7-6(3), 6-3 and at third singles freshman Jordan Hemley fell 6-3, 7-6.
Senior captain Mike Tyrrell and senior Duncan Macneil lost in two sets at first doubles 7-6(6), 6-1. Sophomores Jonathan Belinowiz and Preston Lydotes teamed up at second doubles and were defeated 6-0, 6-1.
Sack Pentucket 4-1
The Hornets picked up their second victory of the season with a convincing 4-1 win over the Pentucket Sachems on April 24.
Seth Hemley played, according to Bisognano, “the best match of his four years on the NRHS tennis team” at second singles and cruised 6-1, 6-3. Senior captain Trevor Wilson made his return to the lineup with an easy 6-0, 6-1 win at third singles.
Mike Tyrrell and Jordan Hemley won a tough match at first doubles 7-5, 6-4. Tyrrell and Hemley had a shaky start, but righted the ship late in the first set. The momentum gained at the end of the first set carried into the second and allowed Tyrrell and Hemley to close out the straight set win.
Jonathan Belinowiz and junior Ethan Pelmas teamed up at second doubles and won a three set roller coaster 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.
Ryan Landers suffered a hard luck defeat in a great tennis match at first singles 6-1, 6-4, 7-6. After splitting the first two sets the third set was a battle that eventually went to a tiebreak. Unfortunately, Landers was bested in the tiebreak.
Swept by Lynnfield 5-0
On Thursday, the Lynnfield Pioneers flexed their muscles and showed the Hornets why they are undefeated as they easily swept North Reading.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t play our best tennis today,” said Bisognano. “The biggest reason for that was our opponents. Lynnfield was the stronger team and they put it to us with five straight set wins.”