LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield girls tennis team (4-1) returned to form Monday afternoon with a 5-0 sweep of visiting Triton (0-2).
Senior captain Lily Alves led the way with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Ava Mahoney. Sophomore Kami Khiat won at second singles, defeating Quinn Sullivan 6-1, 6-0, while senior captain Vicky McCrann earned a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Diara Holdman at third singles.
Sophomores Christine Choi and Kathleen Brown defeated Heidi Sanger and Ellie Mies 6-1, 6-0 at first doubles. Seniors Zoe Rockwell and Charlotte Beccia completed the sweep with a 6-1, 6-1 win at second doubles over Taylor Richard and Kayla Sousa.
“I knew Triton had graduated four seniors from last year, and the area really isn’t a hotbed tennis community, so I didn’t think it was going to be as competitive as our loss to Swampscott last week,” Lynnfield’s coach Craig Stone said. “We were able to move a couple of people up to second doubles to give them a chance to play, but when we go back to play them a second time, I’ll be able to make more changes to get everybody back.”
The Alves-Mahoney match was the longest of the day. Stone said Mahoney was a “backboard. That’s her strategy is to get to balls and she does that very well.”
Alves agreed, adding she is pleased with the way the season is going.
“She got to just about every ball,” Alves said. “She was very good at moving. It’s been a great season. We’ve all been on top of things at practices and matches, so it’s been very successful so far. I think this is one of the closest teams we’ve had in my four years on the team. Everyone has just clicked instantly, which is great.”
McCrann said the team is looking forward to its match next Monday against four-time defending state champion Hamilton-Wenham, which ousted the Pioneers in the 2025 semifinals, 3-2, and defeated them in the final in 2024.
“It’s been circled on our calendar since last year,” McCrann said. “We just need to be on our ‘A’ game. I’m not sure who’s playing what position this year on their team, but hopefully we can just bring it and finally beat them because we’ve been waiting.”
Senior captain Victoria Clancy, who did not play in the Triton match due to injury, said the Pioneers are off to a strong start both on and off the court.
“Our bond is stronger than ever, and there are a lot of high spirits,” she said. “I think we’ll be pretty good this year. I think the Swampscott match was tricky all around, and the conditions were tough. It’s still early, but it was a very close and winnable match. I think if we played them again, we’d have success.”
Senior captain Giana Micieli believes having a strong non-league schedule and team chemistry will pay off down the road.
“It’s been awesome to have some fun, new players come in, and I’m so proud of what we’ve done so far,” she said. “Our schedule has a mix of matches that will push us and some where we can work on skills and strategy, like today. And even though we have so many kids and you might think you could get lost, I’ve always felt I’ve had a place here. As a senior and a captain, I want to make sure that everyone feels that way.”
Micieli also feels the Pioneers have the right mindset to take on Hamilton-Wenham and find success.
“Going in, our coach always says it’s about the experience, not about the win or the loss,” Micieli said. “It’s more about what you gain from that experience and how you carry it forward. That is what makes Lynnfield a great tennis community.”
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