Two of the top teams in the Northeastern Conference met again, this time in the postseason, as the No. 18 Marblehead girls tennis team pulled off a 3-2 upset over No. 15 Masconomet in Division 2 at Bass River Tennis Club.
Despite losses at first and second singles, Marblehead earned victories at third singles, first doubles, and second doubles.
Abbie Goodwin won at third singles, 6-3, 6-3, defeating Sophia Donnelan.
Lani Gilmore and Reese Friedman took first doubles, 6-0, 7-6 (7-1), while Caroline Bruett and Josie Reers won a three-set thriller at second doubles, 6-1, 2-6, 7-5.
“We all knew it was going to be super close, so we have been very focused in practice all week. We have tons of respect for the Masco players and their coaches,” Marblehead Head Coach Tracy Ackerman said.
Ackerman praised Bruett’s performance.
“Caroline Bruett in particular today had an outstanding day on the courts. She was consistent when needed, but also put balls away at the net to end points for us. Her confidence helped her partner to remain calm and clinch the match,” Ackerman said.
Marblehead will face No. 2 Wayland next with the date and time TBD.
GIRLS TENNIS
Swampscott 5
Nauset Regional 0
It was a great start to the postseason for No. 16 Swampscott, which registered a clean sweep of No. 17 Nauset Regional on Thursday in Division 3.
Nikki Carr won her first singles match 6-1, 6-0. Ana Eccles (6-2, 6-3) and Lilly Carr (6-2, 6-3) claimed wins at second and third singles.
In doubles, Ava and Alexia O’Donnell took a third-set tiebreaker (6-4, 4-6, 10-5) at first doubles, and Sasha Fafel and Janielle de la Cruz won 6-4, 6-3 at second doubles.
Swampscott will face the winner of No. 1 Dover-Sherborn/No. 32 Wareham, who face off on Friday.
Bishop Fenwick 3
Norwell 2
No. 21 Bishop Fenwick went on the road and pulled off the upset over No. 12 Norwell in Division 3.
The Crusaders won in second singles (6-0, 6-2), third singles (6-0, 6-2), and first doubles (7-6 [8-6], 7-6 [7-5]).
The match came down to the doubles pairings, and Bishop Fenwick had enough to secure the first-round upset.
The Crusaders will face No. 5 Belchertown, with the time and date TBD.
BOYS TENNIS
Medway 4
Swampscott 1
No. 10 Medway defeated No. 23 Swampscott on Thursday evening in Division 3. Although the Big Blue were eliminated, they finished the year 8-9 and showed improvement throughout the season.
Medway will advance to face No. 7 Cape Cod Academy, with the date and time TBD.
BASEBALL
Bridgewater-Raynham 4
Lynn English 0
In Division 1 baseball, No. 38 Lynn English fell short on the road against No. 27 Bridgewater-Raynham.
The Bulldogs’ offense struggled as the Trojans’ star pitcher Owen King tossed a complete game, allowing just two hits.
Quinlan Keefe went 2-for-2 with a home run to power Bridgewater-Raynham’s offense.
Bridgewater-Raynham will take on No. 6 Andover on Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.
BOYS LACROSSE
Reading Memorial 17
Marblehead 2
No. 27 Marblehead opened the postseason on the road against No. 6 Reading Memorial in Division 2.
Unfortunately for the Magicians, the Rockets were firing on all cylinders, scoring seven goals in the first quarter to take a commanding 7-0 lead. Reading Memorial led 12-0 at halftime.
Marblehead got a goal back in the third and fourth quarters, but its defense struggled against a powerful attack.
Reading Memorial will face the winner of No. 11 Algonquin Regional/No. 22 Methuen, who face off on Friday.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Lynnfield 15
Oakmont 5
No. 14 Lynnfield hosted No. 19 Oakmont Regional and won by 10 goals. Sophomore middie Hayden Valiton could not be stopped, scoring 11 goals and forcing five turnovers on defense.
Senior captain Taylor Valiton added two goals and two assists while winning 16 draws.
Ava Damiani (1 goal, 6 assists) and Jordan Calichman (1 goal, 2 assists) also got on the scoresheet. In net, Olivia Sylvester made six saves to keep the Pioneers’ season alive.
Lynnfield will face the winner of No. 3 Norwell/No. 30 Seekonk.
VOLLEYBALL
Newton South 3
St. John’s Prep 2
In Division 1 volleyball, despite taking the first set, the Eagles were eliminated in the opening round of the state tournament in five sets.
The Eagles got off to a fast start thanks to Jayden Pelletier, who had multiple kills to help No. 16 St. John’s Prep take the first set 25-17.
No. 17 Newton South responded by winning the second set 25-16.
The teams traded sets, with St. John’s Prep taking the third (25-18) and Newton South winning the fourth (25-20) to force a fifth.
In the decisive set, Newton South trailed 8-3 early but rallied to win 12 of the next 15 points to advance.
Frontier Regional School 3
Lynn Tech 0
The season ended Thursday night for No. 37 Lynn Tech, which traveled to Western Massachusetts and fell to No. 28 Frontier Regional. The hosts protected home court with a 3-0 win.
Elmer Duran had 19 assists, three digs and an ace for the Tigers while teammate Didlaire Jacques Jr. had nine kills, three blocks and three digs. Lynn Tech’s Anthoni Diaz had seven kills, while Christhian Penaloza had eight digs and Jacob DeLeon had six digs to lead the Tigers.
Frontier Regional will face No. 5 Chicopee Comprehensive in the next round.
