Published in the June 13, 2018 edition

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — On Monday afternoon, the Lynnfield High boys’ tennis team hosted Hamilton-Wenham at Lynnfield Middle School in the Division 3 North semifinals on a warm, sunny day. The top-seeded Pioneers ended up winning the match, 5-0 to stay perfect at 17-0.

“The boys played very well,” stated Pioneers head coach Joe Dunn, whose squad beat the Generals for the third time this year. “They seem to get better and better every match.”

At first singles, Max Rothermund won, 6-1, 6-4, while second-singles player Arlex Correa-Ramirez won, 6-4, 6-3. Colin Lamusta won his match in three sets. He won the first one, 6-3, but lost 6-3, in the second one. He then won the final set, 6-3.

In doubles action, the first team of Mike Gentile and Lorenzo Russo won, 6-2, 6-0. The second team of David Gentile and Jamil Khodr won, 6-2, 6-0.

SENIOR Arlex Correa won both of his matches at second singles against Swampscott in the quarterfinals and Hamilton-Wenham in the semifinals to help the Pioneers advance to the Div. 3 North Finals against Weston on Thursday, 3:30 p.m. at Newton South High School. (Dan Tomasello Photo)

“The doubles teams clicked very well,” said Dunn.

With the loss, the fourth-seeded Generals finished the year at 14-4.

Sweep Big Blue

In the quarterfinal round, the Pioneers shut out guest Swampscott, 5-0, on June 7. Rothermund won, 6-2, 6-1 while Correa-Ramirez won, 6-0, 6-4.

Lamusta won in straight sets in this match, 7-5, 6-3.

Mike Gentile and Russo won, 6-2, 6-0 while Khodr and Andrew Seelig won, 6-3, 6-1.

“David (Gentile) had an ankle injury he was dealing with so I put Andrew (Seelig) in,” explained Dunn.

It was the third time the Pioneers beat the Big Blue this season. Swampscott, the ninth seed, ended the year at 12-8.

On Thursday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., the Pioneers will take on Weston at Newton South High School in the North finals. The Wildcats, a team out of the Dual County League, enter the match with a record of 13-5 and have won all three of their playoff matches by 5-0 scores.

“By far, this will be our toughest test of the season,” admitted Dunn.

If the Pioneers win that match, they will face the Division 3 South champion on June 18 in the state semifinals (site and time to be determined).