Published in the April 19, 2018 edition

By DAN NUNN

BOXFORD — After poor weather caused their first two matches to be postponed, the Lady Hornets finally took to the court on Monday, April 9 and opened the season with a hard-fought 3-2 road victory over the Masconomet Chieftains.

The clinching point came at second doubles as newcomer junior Haley MacIntyre paired up with fellow junior Jillian Coveney. After losing the first set 2-6, they came roaring back and took the next two sets 6-4, 6-2. 

At first doubles, senior tri-captains Alexa Galuppo and Megan Landers cruised 6-0, 6-2. Senior tri-captain Tia Campagna also won easily in straight sets at second singles, 6-1, 6-1. 

In her first career high school match, freshman Ava Czarnota was defeated at first singles 6-0, 6-3. At third singles, junior Kylie Scher lost 6-3, 6-1.

Sting Saugus 3-2

With Tia Campagna out sick, the Hornets stepped up and earned a solid 3-2 victory over the Saugus Sachems in their home opener on April 10.

Junior Sydney Davis stepped in at second doubles and played with Coveney. Davis played extremely well in her first varsity match and helped secure the win for NRHS in straight sets 6-1 6-2.

At first doubles, Galuppo and Landers coasted 6-1, 6-1. 

Scher was outstanding at second singles and didn’t drop a single game 6-0, 6-0. Czarnota lost again in two sets at first singles 6-4 6-1. MacIntyre played at third singles and suffered a hard-fought defeat in three sets 7-5, 4-6, 6-2. 

Handle Hamilton-Wenham 4-1

NRHS continued their hot start to the season with a convincing 4-1 victory over the Hamilton-Wenham Generals on April 11 to push their record to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the CAL.

Campagna returned to the lineup and moved to 2-0 with a victory at second singles 6-3, 6-2. At third singles Scher won again 6-2, 6-2.

Czarnota is still in search of her first career win after falling at first singles 6-2, 6-0. 

Both doubles teams won in straight sets. Galuppo and Landers won 6-2, 6-0 and Coveney and MacIntyre swept 6-4, 6-1. 

The Hornets traveled to Hamilton-Wenham for a rematch on Wednesday after press time.