THE FIRST DOUBLES TEAM of senior captain Leticia Marafon (at net) and junior Ella Hayman helped the girls’ tennis team defeat Bishop Fenwick 3-2 on April 22. Marafon and Hayman’s victory over Bishop Fenwick was their first as a team this season. (Jamie Hayman Photo)
After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Swampscott 4-1 (May 3)
Lynnfield defeats Triton 5-0 (May 1)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The girls’ tennis team won both of its matches last week.
Lynnfield (3-1) began last week defeating Bishop Fenwick 4-1 on April 22.
Captain Paige Martino defeated her first singles opponent in two sets, 6-1, 6-3.
“Paige was in control from start to finish, dictating the style of play as her opponent tried to stay in the match by playing defense,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone.
Sophomore Lily Alves won her second singles match in two sets, 6-1, 6-3.
“Lily lost the first two games, and then won 12 in a row,” said Stone. “She is still getting comfortable on the singles court and is now able to be more aggressive with approach shots and net game.”
Senior captain Maddie Sieve defeated her third singles counterpart in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0.
“Maddie and her opponent shared similar styles in the beginning, with long rallies,” said Stone. “Maddie then started to change the pace and opened up the court with cross court balls. She dominated the second set.”
Senior captain Leticia Marafon and junior Ella Hayman won their first doubles match in two sets, 7-6(3), 6-4.
“Leticia and Ella played another tight match, but they came out on the winning side for their first win as a team this season in a two-hour long match,” said Stone.
Sophomore Vicky McCrann and freshman Emma Wagon lost their second doubles match in two sets, 3-6, 4-6.
Stone said the Pioneers played very well against Bishop Fenwick. He noted that Lynnfield is a Division 4 team and Bishop Fenwick is a Division 2 squad.
“It was good to get back on the court after the spring vacation with no matches,” said Stone. “Bishop Fenwick is a Division 2 team that constantly competes in state tournament play, so getting a quality win over a team up a division was a plus.”
Defeats Ipswich
The Pioneers defeated Ipswich 5-0 on April 25. Lynnfield previously defeated the Tigers early this spring.
Martino won her first singles match in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.
Alves dismantled her second singles opponent in two sets, 6-1, 6-0.
“Both Paige and Lily led from start to finish,” said Stone. “Each player showed depth and direction on the groundstrokes, and were able to attach short balls and volley.”
Sieve earned a two-set victory during third singles, prevailing 6-2, 6-1.
“Maddie was down 1-2 in the first set and was playing a little too much defense,” said Stone. “She then turned the tables, and won 11 of the next 12 games by playing offense.”
Marafon and Hayman won their first doubles match in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1.
McCrann and Wagon earned a hard-fought two-set win in second doubles, 6-4, 6-2.
“First doubles played with much more confidence, controlling both the baseline and net play,” said Stone. “Second doubles also seems to be getting a better grasp on situation doubles play and setting up points to get the straight set win.”
Stone noted that the Pioneers’ match against Ipswich occurred the day after rain canceled a match against North Reading.
“It was great having a sunny, clear day to play again,” said Stone. “You need the matches to reinforce learning and improve competitive play. Hopefully, Mother Nature will continue to cooperate the rest of the spring season as we will be playing three to four matches a week!”
CAL Open
The Pioneers finished fourth in the Cape Ann League Open Singles and Doubles Tournament with 12 points on April 27.
Hamilton-Wenham finished first with 20 points. Newburyport was second with 18 points. Manchester-Essex was third overall with 15 points. ‘
Martino finished second in the first singles tournament after compiling a 2-1 record.
Alves placed second in the second singles tournament after securing a 2-1 record.
Sieve advanced to the third singles tournament’s semifinals after compiling a 1-1 record.
Marafon and Hayman were crowned champions of the first doubles consolation tournament after securing a 2-1 record.
McCrann and Wagon won the second doubles tournament’s consolation round after compiling a 2-1 record.
“Awesome weather day, and great competition,” said Stone. “For each player to be able to play three quality matches on a single day is priceless. The spring season has been plagued with inconsistent weather, which has made improvement challenging. This was a giant step forward for all.”
Upcoming matches
Lynnfield faced Hamilton-Wenham on Monday, April 29, taking place after deadline. The Pioneers host Triton on Wednesday, May 1, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Lynnfield hosts Swampscott on Friday, May 3, beginning at 4:30 p.m.