LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield boys tennis team made it two straight Monday, defeating the Red Hawks 3-2 at home to improve to 7-5.
Following the retirement of Joe Dunn Sr. after the 2025 season, the Pioneers have a new coach in Scott Gordon, who previously coached the team from 2005-10. Under Dunn’s leadership, the Pioneers advanced to the state championship match in each of the last four years but came up just short each time.
The 2026 team took a huge hit from graduation, losing all three singles starters and half of its first doubles team.
Gordon said he knew coming in that the team was losing a lot of talent, but he still believes the Pioneers have the talent and depth to succeed.
“This team lost a lot of good players, but we’re deep,” he said. “The players I’ve got are as solid as just about anybody out there. We’re competitive. It may be different this year compared to certainly the last four years. These guys may have to fight more to win a few matches, like they did today and against Mystic Valley Friday (3-2 win), but they’ve learned that when they step up and play, they can play against anybody.”
Lynnfield wasted no time jumping out to a 2-0 lead after sweeping both doubles matches. Senior Andee Shieh and junior captain Rishabh Anand struck first, taking the first doubles match, 6-2, 6-0.
“They let us hit a lot of good shots at the net and we just kept up the pressure,” Anand said. “We were hitting well, and I think we did a good job communicating with each other.”
“I made sure to have them hit to my backhand, because that’s really my strong point,” Shieh said. “They made a lot of unforced errors and were inconsistent.”
Anand said he isn’t worried about the team’s new-look lineup, with several players filling different roles.
“Yes, we lost some great players, but so did every team when you think about it,” he said. “You just have to play whoever is there.”
Junior captain Ritvik Mahajan and junior Mahir Akhter won the second doubles match, 6-0, 6-1.
“Our net game was on today and we played well from the baseline as well,” Akhter said. “We really just let them make the mistakes, waited for our openings and finished points. We were very patient and had good communication.”
“I think the same thing. We hit high-spin shots and ended points quickly at the net,” Mahajan said. “Our communication and patience were good today. We’re lucky to have coach Gordon, who is very focused on making us a better team, and we are all so comfortable with him.”
Junior Brady Trippe clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-3 win at third singles.
“I think I was playing pretty well,” Trippe said. “My opponent just got to everything and hit everything back. It was tough at times to get past him. Overall, I think we are doing well as a team compared to what we might have expected. The fact that we are maintaining a positive record is pretty impressive considering how much the team has changed.”
In a back-and-forth battle, junior captain Rowan Bayer fell at second singles, 3-6, 5-7.
“I guess it got closer near the end, but he was more consistent than I was,” Bayer said. “In the grand scheme of things, I was making too many unforced errors. I didn’t really expect to be playing second singles, to be honest. It’s an honor and opportunity to have the chance, but it’s challenging. I think I am getting better as the season progresses.”
A bright surprise for Gordon has been the play of freshman Shravan Sreeram at first singles. In the closest match of the day, Sreeram needed 2 1/2 hours before falling, 6-7 (1-7), 6-3, 6-7 (6-10). Sreeram rallied from an 0-3 deficit in the second set to win the final six games and force a third set.
“He has an incredible amount of poise for a freshman,” Gordon said. “Had this match been a month ago, it would not have been as close as it was. He has really stepped up since moving to first singles about a third of the way into the season.”
“I didn’t feel I was really consistent, particularly with my serve and endurance,” Sreeram said. “I was trying to keep the ball in play because I had some unforced errors that could have been avoided. I think my game has gotten significantly better compared to early in the season. I know I’m playing the best players in our league, who already had reputations from last year, so that’s always fun to see.”
Ranked No. 12 in the Division 3 power rankings, the Pioneers’ next match is Tuesday at North Reading at 6 p.m.
“I expect they will have some quality players, as they always can be a dangerous team,” Gordon said. “I think they are probably better than their record shows. We’re not going to take them lightly by any means.”
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
Photo: Spenser Hasak | Purchase this photo
