The Pioneers’ girls tennis team dodged the raindrops and opened the season last week with a pair of rock-solid victories.
On Friday, the Pioneers traveled to Swampscott and were tested at times in a 4-1 win over the Big Blue.
“It was a good win over a good team,” said Coach Craig Stone.”All matches were competitive and everyone was able to come away learning a little bit more about themselves and what they need to work on to improve.”
In the longest match of the day, senior captain Paige Martino survived every challenge tossed at her in a tight 7-5, 6-4 victory.
“Both players battled from the baseline, pushing each other to the limit, but at the end of each set, Paige seemed to find that next gear and finish on top,” Stone said.
Junior captain Lily Alves was also tested in the second singles match, but prevailed, 6-1, 7-5.
“Lily cruised in the first set, but her opponent pushed her to the limit in the second set,” Stone said. “Lily dictated the pace of play throughout the match and never seemed to be out of position.”
The third singles match featured the singles debut of junior Vicky McCrann, who spent the last two years playing doubles. Stone said the action was back-and-forth with both players exchanging games through the match before McCrann went down in the closest match of the day, 6-7, 4-6.
“Making the transition to singles is not easy, but Vicky handled it seamlessly,” Stone said.
The first doubles match saw the doubles debut of freshman Kami Khiat, who teamed with senior captain Ella Hayman to win, 6-1, 6-4.
“Kami made the opposite transition, pairing with Ella at first doubles,” Stone said. “They clicked from the start and led throughout the match.”
Rookies Kathleen Brown and Christine Choi made it two in a row, taking the second doubles match, 6-4, 6-1.
“Our freshman team at second doubles also continued to impress and led from start to finish, combining steady ground strokes and net play,” Stone said.
The Pioneers are back in action Thursday at home in a non-league match against Beverly at 3:30 p.m.
Lynnfield 5
North Andover 0
The Pioneers opened the season April 2 at home and came away with a sweep, despite temperatures that dipped into the high 30s.
“It’s always nice to start the season with a win, especially at home,” Stone said. “We have a little more depth on our team this season than in previous years with multiple players being able to step into the varsity lineup. It is a lineup that may see many changes during the season.”
Martino took the first singles match, 6-0, 6-1. The match featured “punishing groundstrokes with depth and direction,” Stone said.
Alves followed suit at second singles, winning 6-1, 6-2, mixing “topspin and slice and controlling the pace of the match,” Stone said.
Khiat, in her varsity debut, took the third singles match in the longest match of the day, 6-3, 6-4 in a match that featured many long rallies and points. Stone said he was pleased with the way Khiat “maintained her composure.”
Hayman and McCrann, who played second doubles together in 2023, teamed up together in the second doubles match. They were tested in the first set, but slammed the door shut in the second en route to a 6-4, 6-1 win.
“They both started a little slow, but quickly gained momentum halfway through the first set to dominate play,” Stone said.
Browne and Choi took the second doubles match, 6-0, 6-3.
“They led all the way, combining groundstrokes and volleys while dominating net play,” Stone said.
