Tennis: Swampscott falls short in upset attempt

The Swampscott girls tennis team faced an undefeated Manchester/Essex squad on Wednesday and nearly pulled off the upset. The host Big Blue (10-4) fell just short 3-2.Swampscott’s Anna Raptunovich won (6-1, 6-1) at second singles while Allegra Walker and Jessica Zolott won at second doubles 0-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3.In what Swampscott coach Niña Rogers called a “great and competitive match,” Swampscott’s Rita Tsokanis narrowly fell at first singles 6-7 (7-5), 6-1, 6-2. Tatum Pederson dropped her third singles contest 6-4, 7-6, 7-5.”I was really pleased with our effort,” said Rogers. “We were missing two starters today but the girls still played well and created an exciting match.”Revere 3, Medford 2At Medford, the Patriots (5-9) got victories from Sara Grujic at second singles (6-4, 6-3) and Mounia El-Arar at third singles (7-6, 6-2). In doubles action, Revere’s first tandem of Venous Hamza and Mariah Rivera won 6-2, 6-1.North Reading 3, Bishop Fenwick 2At North Reading, the Crusaders (10-6) fell despite a win at first singles from Megan McCarthy (6-0, 6-0). Fenwick’s other victory came at second doubles where Jess Griffin and Sara Kanarkiewicz won 7-5, 6-1.Marblehead 3, Beverly 2At Marblehead, Marblehead swept at doubles, which proved to be the difference in the match. Winners for Marblehead were: Annie Ryan, second singles (6-1, 6-1); Meghan Gabel and Kelly Mealey, first doubles (6-1, 6-3); Amanda Gilberg and Liz Leykin, second doubles (6-2, 6-0). Marblehead is now 16-1.Lynnfield 4, Austin Prep 1At Austin Prep, Lynnfield winners were: Kelley Nevils, first singles (6-3, 6-2); Ava Grava, second singles (6-0, 6-0); Jordan Miller and Gabby Pena, first doubles (5-7, 6-3, 6-0); Danielle Soden and Emily Shea, second doubles (6-2, 6-3). Lynnfield is now 10-4.Boys TennisClassical 3, Salem 2At Salem, the Rams (8-7) outlasted the Witches thanks to doubles victories from the first tandem of Rene Perez and Philip Chea (6-2, 6-2) and second duo of Jonathan Dorson and Freddie Hincapie (6-0, 6-2). Classical’s Narith Say won (6-1, 1-6, 6-3) at second singles.Marblehead 4, Beverly 1At Beverley, the Magicians (10-5) got wins at first singles from Chris Wigglesworth (6-2, 6-3) and Miles Barry (6-0, 6-1) at third singles. Marblehead got wins at both first and second doubles from Tyler Beck and Steven Goldman, as well as Alex Rothbard and Ben Goldstein. Beverly’s win came from Justin Brewster at second singles, 6-2, 7-5.Danvers 3, Swampscott 2At Danvers, the Falcons’ Nick Lisichenok (16-0) stayed undefeated at first singles, winning 2-6, 6-0, 6-4 while teammate Toma Nabokin won 6-0, 6-0 at third singles. Danvers’ (12-4) second doubles tandem of Von Wright and Steve Wilkinson won in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. For Swampscott, Val Temin (7-6, 6-2) won at second singles while the duo of Sam Crimmins and Matt Gilbert won at first doubles 6-4, 6-3.