SENIOR CAPTAIN Paige Martino concluded her stellar first singles career after the girls’ tennis team fell 3-2 to four-time state champion Hamilton-Wenham in the Division 4 state semifinals on June 11. Martino concluded her four-year career with 73 wins, which is the most in LHS girls’ tennis history. (Jamie Hayman Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
DANVERS — An impressive playoff run came to an end for the Lynnfield High girls’ tennis team on June 11, as the first-seeded Pioneers were nipped by fourth seed Hamilton-Wenham 3-2 in the Division 4 state semifinals at St. John’s Prep in Danvers.
With the defeat, the top-seeded Pioneers ended the year at 18-3 Meanwhile, the Generals ended up winning the state title on June 15 as Hamilton-Wenham beat Manchester-Essex 5-0 at MIT in Cambridge.
Hamilton-Wenham, who won their fourth consecutive Division 4 state title, ended the 2025 campaign with an 18-2 record. The Generals defeated the Pioneers 5-0 during the 2024 Division 4 state championship.
The Division 4 state semifinals was the second time this spring that Hamilton-Wenham defeated the Pioneers this season, as the Generals also won the regular season meeting 3-2.
During first singles, senior captain Paige Martino lost to Naomi Provost 4-6, 2-6. Martino concluded her four-year career with 73 wins, which is the most in LHS girls’ tennis history.
Captain Lily Alves lost her second singles match to Emily McIntosh in two sets, 1-6, 5-7. She will be returning to the court for the Pioneers next season for her senior year.
Freshman Kami Khiat defeated Charlotte Ireland 6-4, 7-6 (7-5 in the tiebreaker) during third singles.
In doubles action, the first doubles team of senior captain Ella Hayman and junior Vicky McCrann lost in three sets to Olivia Romans and Evelyn Esdaile. After winning the first set 6-1, Hayman and McCrann lost the second set 5-7 and fell 7-6 (7-5) in the tiebreaker.
The Generals clinched the state semifinals victory after winning the first doubles match.
During second doubles, freshmen Kathleen Brown and Christine Choi defeated Gabriella Jewett and Sofie Greene, 7-6 (7-4 in the tiebreaker), 6-4.
“It was a great match for both players and spectators,” said Pioneers head coach Craig Stone. “Both the tennis and sportsmanship from all involved was outstanding. Obviously, we were disappointed in the outcome, to come so close, but I was so proud of what we were able to accomplish this season.”