Girls tennis.htm

LOCATION: BREED MIDDLE SCHOOL AND KING’S LYNNE

NEC All-Star Report

Northeastern League Champions: Lynn Classical

Sportsmanship: Salem

Coach of the Year: Cathy Ellis – Lynn Classical

League MVP: Saska Icitovic – Lynn Classical

All – Stars:

1^st Team

First Singles: Saska Icitovic – Lynn Classical

Second Singles: Amy O’Brien – Lynn Classical

Third Singles: Daniella Krische – Lynn English

First Doubles: Breana Evans and Amanda Terrazzano – Saugus

Second Doubles: Ashley Ellis and Wendy Matanganyidze – Lynn Classical

2nd Team

First Singles: Michaela Gaffney – Salem

Second Singles: Thanh Bui – Lynn English

Third Singles: Amanda Pearson – Lynn Classical

First Doubles: Sheba Neak and Stella Athanasopoulos - Lynn Classical

Second Doubles: Alex Thanopoulos and Tayla Corrado – Saugus

Classical 4, Malden 1

At Malden, the Rams (13-3) ended the regular season on a winning note. Wendy Matanganyidze won 6-1, 6-0, at second singles; Amanda Pearson, 6-4, 6-0, at third singles; Sheba Neak-Stella Athanasoupoulos, first doubles, 6-1, 6-4, and Christine Francois-Nancy Figueroa, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3, at second doubles. It was Figueroa's first varsity match.

Beverly 3, Classical 2

At Breed, the Rams (12-3) got wins at first doubles (6-2, 6-3) from Sheba Neak-Stella Athanasopoulos and in second doubles by Tara Gunderman-Wendy Matanganyidze (6-2, 7-5).

The Panthers (7-7) swept the singles matches to earn a state tournament berth. Winning were Sophie Blau at first singles (6-1, 6-1); Hannah Albee, second singles (6-0, 6-2) and Hannah Robinson, third singles (6-3, 6-0).

Classical first doubles player Stella Athanasopoulos catches up to the ball against English at English on Monday. (Item Photo / Reba M. Saldanha)

Classical girls defeat English

By Joyce Erekson / The Daily Item

The weather may leave much to be desired, but the week just keeps getting better for the Classical High girls tennis team.

The Rams, who captured the Northeastern Conference South championship over the weekend, slipped past rival English, 3-2, Monday at English to improve to 12-2 overall, 10-0 in the NEC South.

The Rams picked up a win at first singles from Saska Icitovic, who defeated Scarlett Santana, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. Icitovic is undefeated against NEC South opponents. Classical also won both doubles matches. Sheba Neak-Stella Athanasopoulos defeated Sarah Cowdell-Kelly Santana, 6-1, 7-5, in the one spot and Ashley Ellis-Wendy Matanganyidze defeated Dina Robles-Iris Beharaj, 6-3, 6-0, in the two spot.

English's Thanh Bui outlasted Amy O'Brien, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 7-5 (third set tiebreaker) in second singles and Daniella Krische defeated Amanda Pearson, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, at second singles.

Both teams have qualified for the state tournament. English is 6-5 overall, 6-3 NEC South, with one match left against Revere today.

English coach Lauren Mezzetti was very pleased with her team's effort against the Rams.

"They swept us the last time, I think. That was at the beginning of the season. The girls played hard. There were some close matches," she said.

Classical coach Cathy Blake Ellis said she believes her team's winning the NEC South title marked the first time a Classical tennis team has won a title. For many years, the Northeastern Conference was all one league, but now it's divided by strength of program.

"It was huge," Ellis said of the accomplishment. "These kids have worked so hard ... We had a good, solid foundation coming into the season."

Ellis said her team had a couple of goals coming into the season -- one being to make the state tournament, the other to win the NEC South and the third to get past the first round of the tournament.

Classical's Wendy Matanganyidze plays a match with English High School at English Monday May 23, 2011. Item Photo/ Reba M. Saldanha Classical's Ashley Ellis plays a match with English High School at English Monday May 23, 2011. Item Photo/ Reba M. Saldanha Classical's Sheba Neak plays a match with English High School at English Monday May 23, 2011. Item Photo/ Reba M. Saldanha Classical's Amanda Pearson plays a match with English High School at English Monday May 23, 2011. Item Photo/ Reba M. Saldanha Classical's Amy O'Brien plays a match with English High School at English Monday May 23, 2011. Item Photo/ Reba M. Saldanha Classical's Saska Icitovic plays a match with English High School at English Monday May 23, 2011. Item Photo/ Reba M. Saldanha

Classical 5, Saugus 0

The Rams clinched the NEC South title. They are 9-0 in the division, 9-1 in the NEC and 11-2 overall.

Their winners against Saugus were: Saska Icitovic, 6-4, 7-5; Amy O'Brien, 6-2, 6-0; Amanda Pearson, 6-3, 6-2; Sheba Neak-Stella Athanasopoulos, 6-1, 6-1; and Tara Gunderman-Christine Francois, 6-0, 6-1.

Classical girls qualify for tournament

By Mario DiNitto / For The Item

For just the third time in team history, the Classical girls tennis team is headed to the state tournament after blanking Revere, 5-0, at Breed on Wednesday. This is also the first time in team history the Rams have qualified for the tourney in consecutive years.

"The team is very excited about qualifying for the tournament," said Classical coach Cathy Ellis. "We have worked very hard this season."

Leading the charge for Classical (5-0) was Saska Icitovic, winning in first singles 6-0, 6-0. Also winning for the Rams were Amy O'Brien, second singles (6-3, 6-2); Amanda Pearson, third singles (6-2, 6-2); Sheba Neak and Stella Athanasopoulos, first doubles (6-0, 6-1); and Ashley Ellis and Wendy Matanganyidze, second doubles (6-1, 6-0).

Classical 5, Salem 0

At Breed, the Rams swept past the Witches with singles wins from Saska Icitovic, 6-2, 6-2; Amy O'Brien, 6-0, 6-2, and Amanda Pearson, 6-1, 6-4. The doubles teams also got the job done. Sheba Neak-Stella Athanasopoulos won 6-1, 6-0, and Wendy Matanganyidze-Tara Gunderman, 6-1, 6-2. Classical is 7-2.

Classical 5, Somerville 0

At Classical, the Rams kept their perfect season intact (6-0). Winners for Classical were: Saska Icitovic, first singles (6-0, 6-0); Wendy Matanganyidze, second singles (6-0, 6-0); Amanda Pearson, third singles (6-0, 6-1); Sheba Neak and Stella Athanasopoulos, first doubles (6-2, 6-2); Christine Francois and Tara Gunderman, second doubles (6-0, 6-3).

Classical 5, English 0

At English, the Rams completed their total victory when Amy O'Brien won her third set tiebreaker in second singles, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6. The match lasted three hours. Also winning for Classical (5-0) were Saska Icitovic, first singles (6-4, 6-1); Amanda Pearson, third singles (6-2, 6-1); Sheba Neak and Stella Athanasopoulos, first doubles (6-4, 6-2); Ashley Ellis and Wendy Matanganyidze, second doubles (6-1, 6-0).

Classical 5, Revere 0

In a home outing for Revere (even though it was at Breed), the Rams (2-0) got wins from Saska Icitovic, first singles, 6-0, 6-1; Wendy Matanganyidze, second singles, 6-4, 6-0; Amanda Pearson, third singles, 6-0, 6-1; Sheba Neak and Stella Athanasopoulos, first doubles, 6-3, 6-1; and Tara Gunderman and Christine Francois, second doubles, 6-1, 6-0.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24TH @ MALDEN 4:00PM at Malden Ameriage Park (one block from the high school)