Warriors return entire starting lineup, hope to return to the state tournament

By JIM SOUTHMAYD

WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Memorial High girls’ tennis team made the state tournament with primarily an underclass team a year ago as it had just one senior on the roster. So as the 2015 season opener gets closer, the Warriors have hopes of at least duplicating the success it had last spring.

Wakefield posted a 9-8 overall record and a 9-7 record in the Middlesex League Freedom division. The Warriors faced Div. 2 North juggernaut Concord-Carlisle in the first round of the tournament and suffered a 5-0 setback to have their season ended.

But Wakefield clinched a state tournament berth for the second time in head coach Kathy O’Maley’s stint at WMHS. O’Maley, entering her ninth year, would like to her team get into the postseason once again.

“One of our goals is to make the state tournament and we hope to make it there once again,” said O’Maley. “We hope to have another winning season and repeat what we did last year.”

Of course, O’Maley would like to see Wakefield enjoy even more success this spring. But she knows that the M.L. is a tough league to compete in and wins will have to be earned against some of the top teams in the state.

Also, some players will be going on a school trip and that will mean some missed time. Right now, that will only be for one match. But of course that could change if there are any postponements. That could be why the Warriors’ home opener against Woburn has been changed to tomorrow afternoon on the indoor courts at the Boston Sports Club in Lynnfield since Dobbins Courts aren’t ready for use yet due to all the snowfall this past winter.

O’Maley will be helped out once again by her father, assistant coach Bill Healey.

The lone senior to graduate from last year’s team was Elizabeth Attaya. Attaya played at doubles last year on a rotating basis with several underclassmen. While she will be missed, there are plenty of talented tennis players to step up and fill the varsity events.

The senior co-captains for his year’s squad are Meghan Chapman and Abby Murphy. Both return at singles.

Chapman returns to play at first singles, while Murphy returns to play third singles. Chapman was named a Middlesex League Freedom division All-Star a year ago.

Sarah Stumpf, a junior, is Wakefield’s second singles player and she returns to that spot in the lineup.

At first doubles, junior Grace Hurley and sophomore Abby Chapman return and will be teamed together once again. Hurley and Chapman were named league all-stars in doubles a year ago.

The Warriors also return their second doubles team as juniors Mollybeth Whitson and Darcy Drago will be paired together once again.

Wakefield also returns many JV players and reserves from last year’s team. Those players, along with the starters, also have another year’s of playing experience to add to their games.

Another senior on the roster is Solvi Helhoski.

The returning juniors are Taylor Guarino, Jackie Roderick and Tori Tringale.

The returning sophomores on the Warrior roster include Emily Attaya, Caitlyn Collins, Roxy Margolis, Jenna Mello and Eleni Rizos.

There is one new sophomore that made the cut Bella Ferrara.

Four freshman are on the Warrior roster as well. They are Kelsey Callahan, Laura McGovern, Emily Roberts and Haley Tanner.

“We have five new players and they are pretty good,” said O’Maley.

Wakefield opens up the season tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 p.m. against Woburn in a crossover match against a M.L. Liberty division opponent at the Boston Sports Club in Lynnfield.