At home against Swampscott on Friday, the Pioneers (5-2) dominated singles matches, dropping only one game in a 4-1 win. Paige Martino and Lily Alves swept in shutouts at first and second singles, while Maddie Sieve cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 win at third singles.
The first doubles team of Leticia Marafon and Ella Hayman won the first set 6-3, but fell 2-6 in the second, setting up a 10-point tiebreaker for the third set. Marafon/Hayman jumped out early and hung on to win 10-5. The second doubles team of Vicky McCrann and Emma Wagon led 5-4 in the first, but the Big Blue ran off the last three games to take the set, 5-7 and then cruised to a 6-4 win in the second set to put Swampscott on the board.
“Swampscott is traditionally one of the top teams in the Northeastern Conference,” Lynnfield coach Craig Stone said. “Singles dominated but doubles struggled with momentum with neither team maintaining an advantage for more than one game at a time. Second doubles played the second set event, but, again, Swampscott was tough in crunch time. We have been playing Swampscott in a non-league match for years, it’s always great competition, and to get a win over a higher division team is always a plus.”
Lynnfield 5
Triton 0
The Pioneers rebounded from a loss to the Hamilton-Wenham Generals with a shutout over the visiting Vikings on May 1.
“Getting back in the win column is a plus, especially following a tough loss. I was pleased to see the players respond in such a positive way,” Stone said.
All five matches were decided in straight sets. Martino (6-1, 6-2), Alves (6-0, 6-0) and Sieve (6-1, 6-4) swept the singles matches and Marafon/Hayman (6-1, 6-1) and Bella Nguyen Parminder Saidi (second doubles, 6-1, 6-1) swept the doubles matches.
“First and second singles were in control from start to finish. Maddie led throughout the first set, before her opponent settled down to make the second set very competitive,” Stone said. “First doubles dominated play from the baseline and net, while the second doubles team got a spot start and did not disappoint.”
Hamilton-Wenham 5
Lynnfield 0
At home April 29, the Pioneers faced their toughest competition of the season, taking on the two-time Division 4 state champion Hamilton-Wenham. Stone said the 5-0 score was closer than it looked.
“They (the Generals) were tested, but survived,” he said.
Martino dropped the first singles match 0-6, 1-6, while Alves was shut out at second singles, 0-6, 0-6. At third singles, Sieve battled from start to finish only to come up short, 3-6, 6-7.
“Both Paige and Lily played two of the top players – not only in the league, but in New England – and Maddie was a point away from extending her match to three sets,” Stone said.
Both doubles teams lost in straight sets, but were competitive.
Marafon/Hayman lost the first doubles match, 4-6, 2-6, and McCrann/Wagon lost the second doubles match, 4-6, 3-6.
“The doubles teams keep improving each time out and just need to convert a few more opportunities,” Stone said. “We put ourselves in a position to be successful; we just need to execute a little better. When you play a team of the caliber of HW and get your chances to finish points, the ball you hit must be a little deeper, or a little wider, or have a little more pace to finish. We will continue to train, compete, and use these matches for the feedback we need to continue to improve.”
