Tennis: Classical boys have extra reason to celebrate

It was a two-fer type of day for the Classical boys tennis team Wednesday at Breed. Not only did the Rams defeat rival English, 4-1, but they also qualified for the state tournament.”It’s always a big deal to beat English, but it’s nice to earn a spot in the tournament for the second straight year,” Classical coach Chris Hayward said, noting that this is the first time in the history of the program the Rams have qualified for the state tournament two years in a row.”I’m really proud of the kids,” Hayward said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to carry this into the playoffs.”Daveth Cheth won at first singles, 6-0, 6-1; Larry Cheung at second singles, 6-0, 6-1; Kevin Mazige-Doodley Alouidor at first doubles, 6-3, 6-0; and Alex Messina-Justin Diamond at second singles, 6-3, 6-2.Marblehead 5, Swampscott 0At Swampscott, the Magicians (17-1, 15-0 Northeastern Conference) got wins from Justin Hyte, first singles, 6-2, 6-0; Alec Eidelman, second singles, 6-1, 6-1; Ryan Dempsey, third singles, 6-4, 6-2; Wes York-Doug Carey, first doubles, 6-3, 6-4, and Chris Butterfield-Tyler Gelineau, 6-4, 6-2.North Reading 4, Lynnfield 1At North Reading, the Pioneers (6-8) saw their tournament hopes dashed. Mike Arsnow-Kush Karia won at second doubles, 6-4, 6-2.Gloucester 3, Danvers 2At Danvers, the Falcons (9-9) need one more win to make the postseason. Danvers’ Kevin McManus-Mike DeSantis won at second doubles, 6-0, 6-1, and Matt Arias took third singles, 6-1, 6-4. The Gloucester (7-9) winners were Chase Kelly at first singles, 6-2, 6-2; Sam Heaney-Balf at second singles, 6-4, 6-2, and Brian Hand-Marcus Busby at first doubles, 6-1, 6-1.Lexington 3, St. John’s 2At Lexington, the Eagles (15-3) led 2-1 in the early going, but lost in the third sets of the final two matches. Spencer Canny won at third singles, 6-1, 6-0, and Chris Trosin-John Corvi won at first doubles, 6-2, 6-3. St. John’s plays South powerhouse Wellesley today. Wellesley beat Lexington, 3-2.Peabody 4, Revere 1At Peabody, the Patriots (8-9, 8-8 NEC) won at first doubles (Michael Truong-John Nguyen, 6-4, 6-3).GIRLS TENNISClassical 4, English 1At Breed, the Rams (4-12) were strong in singles led by Sochitta Men, who defeated Mariah Dooley, 6-0, 6-2; Saska Icitovic, who topped Anjeza Beharaj, 6-1, 6-0, and Amy O’Brien, who defeated Alise Rittershaus, 3-6, 6-0, 7-6. Classical also won second doubles, with Sheba Neak-Amanda Pearson defeating Daniella Krische-Iris Beharaj. English’s Jingi Wei-Siak Eam defeated Brea Mazige-Jessie Carredano, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, at first doubles.Click here for a photo gallery.Lynnfield 4, No. Reading 1At Lynnfield, the Pioneers (15-0, 12-0) clinched the Cape Ann League Small title for the fourth consecutive year. This was Lynnfield’s 49th straight league win.”I think it’s a credit to the kids in the last four years,” Lynnfield coach Craig Stone said. “The seniors have never lost a league match. They have had a distinguished career.”Sarah O’Neill won at first singles, 6-0, 6-1; Allison Bodek at second singles, 6-1, 6-1; Corey Copelas, third singles, 6-1, 6-1, and Sarah Soni-Alicia Leone, first doubles, 6-0, 6-2.Swampscott 4, Marblehead 1At Marblehead, the Big Blue (16-1, 16-0 NEC South) dominated at singles with Jen Cleary winning 6-1, 6-0, at first singles; Kara Gilberg, 6-1, 6-0, in the two spot and freshman Michelle Magdalovich at third singles, 6-2, 6-2. Doubles proved to be more of a struggle, with Kelsey O’Brien-Rita Tsokanis surviving against M.L. Ryan and Lindsey Cohen, 6-4, 6-7 (4-7) 6-3.Marblehead (10-6, 10-4 NEC South) won at second doubles, where Emma McGuirk-Morgan Mead pulled out a thriller, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6.Peabody 4, Revere 1At Peabody, the Tanners (13-4) had wins from Emily Athas, first singles, 7-6 (7-5), 6-0; Alaina Warren, second singles, 6-1, 6-1; Nathallia Souza, third singles, 6-3, 6-1, and Kerrianne O’Brien-Sarah Athas, second doubles, 6-1, 2-6, 6-1.