The Winthrop High School boys tennis team is off to a strong 3-1 start to the 2019 season.
The Vikings have claimed impressive wins over Beverly (4-1), Gloucester (5-0), and Classical (5-0), but the match that has sent reverberations through the Northeastern Conference was a 3-2 loss to perennial powerhouse Marblehead.
Head Coach Marie Finn said the Winthrop program has never beaten Marblehead and she’s already anticipating the rematch with the Magicians later this season.
Finn’s program has qualified for the State Tournament for the past six seasons, but the long-time coach feels this could be the best team of her highly successful tenure.
In the near-upset of Marblehead, Michael Lupo won his match, 6-3, 6-2, at second singles, while Chris Finn opened his season with a 6-4, 6-1 triumph. Finn is undefeated in the No. 2 singles position this season with four, straight-set decisions.
In a 4-1 win over Beverly, the Viking victors were Cory Cherico (6-1, 6-2), Chris Finn (6-2, 6-4), Sam Yarroow-Kevin Dorr (6-1, 6-2) at first doubles, and Alessio Naco-Augie Cherico (6-4, 6-2) at second doubles.
Cory Cherico, who is 3-1 at the No. 1 singles position, swept his Gloucester and Classical opponents by 6-0, 6-0 margins as the Vikings blanked both teams.
Rilind Bytai picked up his first two wins of the season versus Gloucester and Classical. The Yarrow-Dorr team improved their record to 3-1 following straight-set victories.
The Vikings were slated to host Swampscott Wednesday and non-league foe Triton Regional Thursday.
The Winthrop netmen posted 12 victories in the 2018 season, but the team appears poised to eclipse that total this season.