Hornets Blank Lynnfield To Win North Tennis Title

There were probably a few "ya right" responses across the state when Craig Stone talked about rebuilding his Pioneers. But numbers don't lie, and the Lynnfield girls' tennis team graduated seven of its top eight players from last spring's Division 3 North champions.

But despite a roster that returned only Alexa Vittiglio, there was Lynnfield, playing for the MIAA North title once again, this time Tuesday against Cape Ann rival Manchester Essex. The Hornets, however, put an end to Lynnfield's run, sweeping the match, 5-0, in North Reading. It was the second time this spring Manchester Essex had beaten Lynnfield, 5-0, and after the Pioneers had eliminated the Hornets (17-1) three straight years, maybe it was time for a new champion.

"Going into this season I was hoping to get a winning record and make the tournament," said Stone. "We had four sophomores and two freshman in the starting lineup. The sophomores were just part-time players last year. They worked on their game over the winter and they come back and were ready to rock-n-roll."

Megan Nevils, playing No. 1 singles as a freshman, lost to Manchester Essex sophomore Olivia Manotti, 6-0, 6-0. At No. 2 singles, Vittiglio lost to Stephanie Pratt, 6-2, 6-2. And in the longest match of the day, Bela Ferreira lost to Bridget Miller at No. 3 singles, 6-3, 6-4. At first doubles, ME's sister team of Chanel and Christian Bullock beat Gillian Skelley and Emma Gallucci, 6-1, 6-2. At second doubles, the Hornets' Andrea Rennis and August Kahle beat Claire Yang and Celeste Joy, 6-2, 6-0.

Game scores aside, the match was much more competitive than the 5-0 result back on a cold early-April day when the teams first met.

"To be able to accomplish what we did this year and come back here to the sectional finals, is quite an achievement," said Stone of his team that finished 17-5. "As I said before we got off the bus, it's a win-win situation. No. 1, we win just by being here. We also win by improving on our performance from the last time, which we were able to do as well. I'm extremely pleased and the future looks bright."

Photo by Bob Holmes