Pioneer girls’ tennis ready for new beginning

Published in the April 4, 2018 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — It’s a new era for the girls’ tennis team.

The Pioneers returned to the court this week and are ready to compete against the elite teams in the Cape Ann League. Lynnfield concluded last season with a 19-2 overall record and won its fourth straight Division 3 North Sectional championship after dismantling Austin Prep 5-0 in the finals.

The locals advanced to the Division 3 state semifinals, but fell to state champion Martha’s Vineyard for the third consecutive season.

Lynnfield’s dominance over the last four years, which included a Division 3 state championship in 2014, was made possible due to a strong nucleus featuring Sarah Mezini, Katie Nevils, Camie Foley and Katie Nugent, all four of whom graduated last June. Last year’s seniors had a combined record of 79-5 over their four-year careers.

Pioneers head coach Craig Stone said 2018 marks a new beginning for the storied program.

“We are very young,” said Stone. “We graduated seven out of our top eight players. Junior Alexa Vittiglio is the only returning starter.”

Vittiglio will serve as one of three Pioneer captains this spring.

“Alexa played some third singles last year, but mostly first and second doubles,” said Stone.

Vittiglio said she is looking forward to the season in an interview with the Villager.

“We have a lot of new players this year, but that is not necessarily a bad thing because a lot of the incoming freshmen and everyone worked really hard during the offseason,” said Vittiglio. “It’s actually looking pretty good despite how new and young of a team we are.”

Seniors Makayla Maffeo and Christina Albano will also serve as captains this spring.

“Maffeo was a spot starter at second doubles,” said Stone.

“Albano, a four-year team member, is on the varsity team for the first time.”

Maffeo has high hopes for the season.

“It’s definitely a rebuilding year because we lost most of our seniors from last year,” said Maffeo. “Our starting line-up last year was mostly seniors. Despite that though, I think we have a pretty good chance this year. Our freshmen are looking very good.”

Albano agreed.

“We did a lot of fun team bonding stuff during the offseason including workouts,” said Albano. “I think it’s going to be an exciting year.”

Stone has been impressed with the leadership all three captains have displayed.

“All three have great attitudes,” said Stone. “They worked on their game indoors throughout the fall and winter.”

The Pioneers are also welcoming back sophomores Gillian Skelley, Celeste Joly and Claire Yang. Stone said all three sophomores are returning letter winners.

“All three will impact in the varsity line-up this season,” said Stone. “With the snow, line-ups are still up in the air. We just got on our own courts March 27.”

Stone said the Pioneers’ promising newcomers include freshman Megan Nevils, freshman Emma Gallucci and foreign exchange student Bela Ferreira.

“Each will also impact on the starting line-up,” said Stone. “Juniors Emma Rocco, Nina Dunn, Grace Sokop and sophomore Elena Moisidis, all who played JV last year, have also made the jump to the varsity team this spring and add experience and depth.”

Stone said the Pioneers’ “balance and depth” will serve as the locals’ biggest strengths this spring.

“We don’t have a Sarah Mezini or a Sarah O’Neil, but we don’t fall off much in our line-up from top to bottom,” said Stone. “You might see a lot of 3-2 matches this year.”

While Stone said this year’s team has a great deal of potential, he said, “We need match experience.”

“We should be a much improved team as the season progresses, and the line-up at the end of the season could be very different than in the beginning,” said Stone.

Similar to previous seasons, Stone anticipates the Pioneers will be in the hunt for a Cape Ann League title and a spot in the Division 3 North tournament once again.

“We will be in the running, though Manchester-Essex returns its entire team and added talent,” said Stone. “Newburyport will also contend. Masconomet, Hamilton-Wenham and North Reading always put out strong teams. We should still be around at state tournament time, and make a run for it!”