Published April 3, 2019

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield High girls’ tennis team is returning to the court next week, and is looking to make some noise in the Cape Ann League.

The Pioneers concluded last season with a 17-5 overall record. They advanced to the Division 3 North finals for the fifth straight year last June, but fell 5-0 to state champion Manchester-Essex.

“With the exception of third singles player Bela Ferreira, who was a senior from Brazil, we have our entire line-up back from last year,” said Pioneer head coach Craig Stone. “Obviously, we are looking to improve on last year’s record, and always have our sights set on league, sectional and state titles.”

Three senior captains will lead the Pioneers this fall, including Alexa Vittigilio.

“Alexa, a returning captain from last year, finished the year at second singles with a 14-7 record,” said Stone. “She worked indoors on her game all year and will look to challenge Megan Nevils for the number one spot during the season.”

SENIOR CAPTAINS, from left, Alexa Vittiglio, Grace Sokop and Nina Dunn will lead the girls’ tennis team this spring. (Courtesy Photo)

Seniors Nina Dunn and Grace Sokop will also serve as captains this spring.

“Nina and Grace were both spot starters last year,” said Stone. “They should contend for starting doubles positions this year as well.”

Nevils, a sophomore, will be looking to build on her 8-11 record at first singles.

“Megan has solid ground strokes and a good all-around game,” said Stone. “She should be much improved this season.”

Junior Gillian Skelley and sophomore Emma Gallucci will be looking to build on strong seasons last year.

“Emma and Gillian played first doubles as a team last year and were 13-3, CAL All-Stars and were sectional quarterfinalists at the North Sectional Individual Doubles Tournament,” said Stone. “They could possibly return at first doubles again, but both have the potential to play singles as well.”

Juniors Celeste Joly and Claire Yang are also returning to the Pioneers this season.

“They played together at second doubles and were 8-2,” said Stone. “They could team up again, or one of them could possibly play third singles, with the other finding a new partner.”

Stone said the Pioneers’ new seventh starter will “most likely debut at second doubles.” He said the contenders are Dunn, Sokop and junior Elena Mosidis.

Seniors Julie Lynch, Jenna Robbins, Daphne Terris and Emily Strout, freshman Ann Radulski and sophomore Ava Buonfiglio will round out the Pioneers’ strong nucleus.

Stone said the Pioneers’ biggest strength this season will be “team depth.”

“Our talent level does not fall off much from top to bottom,” said Stone.

When asked what the Pioneers need to work on, Stone said the locals will need to “stay aggressive” and “play confidently.”

“The potentially new doubles’ teams will have to gel,” Stone added.

Stone noted the Pioneers will have stiff competition this season from Manchester-Essex, Newburyport, Hamilton-Wenham and North Reading.